Course: Human Anatomy III

Code: NUS 211

Topic: THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Introduction
The male reproductive system consists of the organs, structures and glands that produce and
transport mature sperm and semen into the female reproductive tract, where fertilization occurs.
Some structures of the male reproductive system include the scrotum, testes, penis, prostate
gland, seminal vesicles, vasa deferentia, epididymis etc.
There are two basic functions of the male reproductive system/organs, these are:
1. production, maturation and storage of spermatozoa
2. transport/delivery of spermatozoa in semen into the female reproductive tract.

Structures of the male reproductive system

The structures that makes up the male reproductive system can be group into:
Male external reproductive structures/organs e.g.
1. penis
2. urethra
3. scrotum
Male internal reproductive structures/organs e.g.
1. epididymis
2. ductus deferens
3. seminal vesicles (accessory glands)
4. ejaculatory ducts
5. prostate gland (accessory gland)
6. bulbourethral glands (accessory glands)
The scrotum
The scrotum is a pouch of pigmented skin that houses the testes and it associated structures. The
inner layer of the skin is lined with fibrous connective tissue and smooth muscle. The scrotum is
divided into two compartments, (left and right), each of which contains one testis, one
epididymis and the testicular end of a spermatic cord. The scrotum and its contents lies outside
the pelvic cavity below the symphysis pubis but behind the penis.

The testes
The testes are the primary male reproductive organ/glands and are the equivalent of the ovaries
in the female. In mature male, they are about 4.5cm long, 2.5cm wide and 3cm thick and are
suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cords. Each testis is surrounded by three layers of
tissue.

a. Tunica vaginalis: This is a double membrane, forming the outer covering of the testes,
and is a down growth of the abdominal and pelvic peritoneum. During early fetal life, the
testes develop in the lumbar region of the abdominal cavity just below the kidneys. They
then descend into the scrotum, taking with them coverings of peritoneum, blood and
lymph vessels, nerves and the deferent duct. The peritoneum eventually surrounds the
testes in the scrotum and becomes detached from the abdominal peritoneum. Descent of
the testes into the scrotum should be complete by the 8th month of fetal life.

b. Tunica albuginea: This is a fibrous covering beneath the tunica vaginalis. Ingrowths
form septa, dividing the glandular structure of the testes into lobules.

c. Tunica Vasculosa: This consists of a network of capillaries supported by delicate

connective tissue.

Structure of the testis

In each testis, there are 200-300 lobules, and within each lobule are 1-4 convoluted loops of
germinal epithelial cells, called seminiferous tubules. The seminiferous tubules contain only two
types of cells: germ cells and Sertoli cells. The germ cells produce spermatozoa by progressive
differentiation while sertoli cells provide mechanical support and nourishment to the
spermatozoa.

Between the tubules are groups of interstitial cells (of Leydig) that secrete the hormone
testosterone during and after puberty. Generally, testosterone regulates spermatogenesis and
development of secondary sex organs. Testosterone is also believed to be responsible for the
aggressive behavior and positive attitude of the males.

At the upper pole of the testis, the seminiferous tubules unite first to form straight tubule, then
rate testis which finally combine to form 6-12 efferent ductules. These ductules as it exit the
substance of the testis, are repeatedly folded and tightly packed into a mass called the
epididymis. It leaves the scrotum as the deferent duct (vas deferens) in the spermatic cord. Blood
and lymph vessels pass to the testes in the spermatic cords.
Functions of the testes
Production of spermatozoa (sperm) by the process of spermatogenesis in the seminiferous
tubules of the testes, and mature as they pass through the long and convoluted epididymis, where
they are stored. FSH from the anterior pituitary stimulates sperm production. A mature sperm has
a head, a body, and a long whip-like tail used for motility. The head is almost completely filled
by the nucleus, containing its DNA. It also contains the enzymes required to penetrate the outer
layers of the ovum to reach, and fuse with its nucleus. The body of the sperm is packed with
mitochondria, to fuel the propelling action of the tail that powers the sperm along the female
reproductive tract.

Successful spermatogenesis takes place at a temperature about 3oC below normal body
temperature. The testes are cooled by their position outside the abdominal cavity, and the thin
outer covering of the scrotum has very little insulating fat. This exposed position does however,
leave the testis vulnerable to damage and to excessive cold, so a pouch of smooth muscle, the
cremaster muscle, wraps around the tunica vaginalis; it extends upwards around the spermatic
cord and attaches to structures in the groin. When it contracts, it pulls the scrotum towards the
body, probably for protection.
Unlike females, who produce no new gametes after birth, sperm production in males begins at
puberty and continues throughout life, often into old age, under the influence of testosterone.

Epididymis
The duct of epididymis, although 6 m long is so folded as to form a compact “comma-shaped”
body called epididymis. The epididymis caps the superior pole of the testis and is applied to its
posterior border. The spermatozoa are stored in the epididymis until release either by
masturbation or coitus. During the storage period, the spermatozoa become mature and motile.

Spermatic cords
The spermatic cords suspend the testes in the scrotum. Each cord contains a testicular artery,
testicular veins, lymphatics, a deferent duct and testicular nerves, which come together to form
the cord from their various origins in the abdomen. The cord, which is covered in a sheath of
smooth muscle (the cremaster muscle) and connective and fibrous tissues, extends through the
inguinal canal and is attached to the testis on the posterior wall.
Blood supply, lymph drainage and nerve supply
Arterial supply: The testicular artery branches from the abdominal aorta, just below the renal
arteries.
Venous drainage: The testicular vein passes into the abdominal cavity. The left vein opens into
the left renal vein and the right into the inferior vena cava.
Lymph drainage: This is through lymph nodes around the aorta.
Nerve supply: This is provided by branches from the l0th and 11th thoracic nerves.

Deferent duct
Also called the vas deferens or ductus deferens, this is some 45cm long and emerges from the tail
of epididymis. It is a fibromuscular tube. It passes upwards from the testis through the inguinal
canal and ascends medially towards the posterior wall of the bladder, where it is joined by the
duct from the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct. The end of ductus deferens enlarges
to form the ampulla. Sperm may live in the deferent duct for several weeks and remain viable.

The clinical importance of the deferent duct or vas deferens is vasectomy. Vasectomy is a
surgical procedure to cut and tie the ductus deferens on each side so that the sperms do not pass
from testis to the urethra. The sperms so produced in the testes are reabsorbed in the epididymis.
The vasectomy is a common method to render male permanently incapable of fertilization (i.e.
they become sterile). Note that since sperms form only a small volume of the ejaculate,
vasectomy has little effect on the volume of the ejaculated semen.

Seminal vesicles
The seminal vesicles are two small fibromuscular pouches, 5cm long, lined with columnar
epithelium and lying immediately posterior to the bladder. At its lower end, each seminal vesicle
opens into a short duct which joins with the corresponding deferent duct to form an ejaculatory
duct.

Functions of the seminal vesicles

The seminal vesicles contract and expel their stored contents called seminal fluid during
ejaculation. Seminal fluid, which forms 60% of the volume of semen, is viscous and alkaline, to
protect the sperm in the acidic environment of the vagina, and contains fructose to fuel the sperm
during their journey through the female reproductive tract.

Ejaculatory ducts
The ejaculatory ducts are two tubes, about 2cm long, each formed by the union of the duct from
a seminal vesicle and a deferent duct. They pass through the prostate gland and join the prostatic
urethra, carrying seminal fluid and spermatozoa to the urethra. The walls of the ejaculatory ducts
are composed of the same layers of tissue as the seminal vesicles.

Prostate gland
The prostrate is the largest accessory sex gland. The gland lies in the pelvic cavity in front of the
rectum and behind the symphysis pubis, completely surrounding the the first 3cm of urethra as it
emerges from the bladder. The prostate gland is partly glandular, partly muscular and partly
fibrous. The glandular tissue of prostate gland consists of three types of glands, viz. mucosal,
submucosal and main prostatic gland. The outer fibrous covering, encloses the glandular tissue
wrapped in smooth muscle. The gland weighs about 8 g in youth but progressively enlarges
(hypertrophies) with age, and is likely to weigh about 40 g by the age of 50.

Functions of the prostate gland

The prostate gland secretes a thin, milky fluid that makes up about 30% of the volume of semen
and gives it its milky appearance. The secretion from the prostate gland contains acid
phosphatase, citric acid, amylase, fibrinolysin and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA). Fibrinolysin
liquefies semen after ejaculation. However, it also coniains a clotting enzyme, which thickens the
semen in the vagina increasing the likelihood of semen being retained close to the cervix.

The applied anatomy of the prostate gland:

Benign hypertrophy of prostrate (BHP): It occurs due to hypertrophy of mucosal and submucosal
glands in almost 50% males after 50 years of age. The enlarged prostatic tissue compresses the
prostatic urethra causing partial or total obstruction. This leads to difficulty in passing urine.
Carcinoma of prostate gland: It occurs due to malignant hypertrophy of main prostatic glands. It
is the second most common cancer in elderly men.

Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s gland)

These are two small glands of the size of a pea which lie one on each side of the membranous
urethra. Their ducts are 2-3 cm long and open into the penile urethra. They secrete mucous-like
fluid that lubricates penile urethra before ejaculation.

Urethra
The male urethra serves as a common passage/pathway for the flow of urine and semen. In a
mature male, the urethra measures about 19-20cm long and consists of three parts:

1. The prostatic urethra: originates at the base of the bladder/urethral orifice where it is
associated with the internal urethra sphincters and passes through the prostate gland. The
prostatic urethra is about 3-4cm long. The lumen of the prostatic urethra present a
longitudinal fold of mucosa called urethral crest and depression on either side called
prostatic sinus. The ejaculatory duct also open into the prostatic urethra.
N/B The internal urethra sphincter is a ring of smooth muscle at the neck of the bladder
above the prostate gland.

2. The membranous urethra: is the shortest and narrowest part of the urethra. It extends
from the distal part of the prostate gland to the bulb of the penis, after passing through the
deep perineal pouch and perineal membrane. The external urethra sphincter, a ring of
skeletal muscle surrounding the membranous urethra is also present here.

3. The spongy or penile urethra: lies within the corpus spongiosum of the penis and
terminates at the external urethral orifice in the glans penis. There are two urethral
sphincters, internal and external.
Penis
The penis has a root and a shaft. The root anchors the penis in the perineum and the shaft (body)
is the externally visible, movable portion of the organ. It is formed by three cylindrical masses of
erectile tissue and smooth muscle. The erectile tissue is supported by fibrous tissue and covered
with skin, and has a rich blood supply.
The two lateral columns are called the corpora cavernosa and the column between them,
containing the urethra, is the corpus spongiosum. The penile tip is expanded into a triangular
structure known as the glans penis. Just above the glans the skin is folded on itself and forms a
movable double layer, the foreskin or prepuce. Arterial blood is supplied by deep, dorsal and
bulbar arteries of the penis, which are branches from the internal pudendal arteries. A series of
veins drain blood to the internal pudendal and internal iliac veins. The penis is supplied by
autonomic and somatic nerves.
Erection of the penis is facilitated by its rich sensory innervation. The diameter of blood vessels
supplying and draining it regulates the filling of its erectile tissue and is controlled by the
autonomic nervous system.
Parasympathetic stimulation leads to filling of the spongy erectile tissue with blood, caused by
arteriolar dilation and venoconstriction, which increases blood flow into the penis and obstructs
outflow. The penis therefore becomes engorged and erectfor sexual intercourse.