Male Reproductive

System
What the Male Reproductive
System Does

Main function is to produce sperm and

deliver it to the female reproductive
system
How the Male Reproductive
System Works
Male Puberty
Starts at around age 12-13
Hormonal changes stimulate an increase in
growth rate, alterations in behavior,
enlargement of the genitals, and the
appearance of secondary sexual
characteristics such as facial hair.
Because boys begin their final growth spurt
later than girls, they have a longer period of
steady growth and usually attain a greater
adult height.
Male Puberty
Changes that occur:
Growth spurt occurs Some breast enlargement
Acne may appear may occur
Larynx enlarges, voice Muscles develop
deepens Pubic hair appears
Facial hair appears External genitals enlarge
Shoulders broaden Sperm production begins
Underarm hair appears First ejaculation occurs
Perspiration increases Long bone growth stops
Sperm
Sex cells that are
produced in the testes
and are used to
fertilize the egg
Sperm swim at the
rate of 1-4mm per
minute or 60-240mm
per hour
50,000 sperm are
produced each
MINUTE in mature
men
Testicles (testes)
Male reproductive
organ that makes
sperm and
testerone
Male begin
producing 100+
million sperm a
day once they
reach puberty
Seminiferous Tubules

Tightly coiled tubes inside the testes

where sperm are made
Testosterone

The male sex hormone that influences

sperm production
During puberty, testosterone causes
facial and body hair to grow, shoulders to
broaden and voice to deepen
Scrotum
The skin covered
sac that the testes
rest in
Muscles of the
scrotum help with
temperature control
Sperm develop best
several degrees
below 98.6
Penis The external male
reproductive organ that
is made up of spongy
tissue that has blood
flow going through it
The penis removes
urine from the bladder
and also delivers sperm
to the female
reproductive system
The glans is the
sensitive nerve ending
near the tip of the penis
Foreskin

A piece of skin that partially covers the tip

of the penis at birth

Circumcision is the
removal of the
foreskin from the tip
of the penis
Erection

When the penis becomes hard and firm

The blood vessels in the penis fill with
blood
The penis must be erect in order for
ejaculation to occur
Ejaculation

When sperm are released from the penis

One ejaculation contains 40-300 million
sperm
It is normal for a male to ejaculate during
sleep, this is called nocturnal emissions
or wet dreams
 Urine passes
Urethra through the urethra,
a tube that starts at
the bladder and
ends at the opening
of the penis
Sperm also pass
through the urethra
during ejaculation
but not at the same
time as urine is
carried
Epididymis
A tightly coiled tube where sperm mature
as they pass through
The epididymis can be up to 700 feet
long
Vas Deferens
The next portion
of a hollow tube
that sperm pass
through
The vas deferens
can be up to 12
inches long
Vasectomy

The severing and tying off of the vas

deferens
Once the vas deferens is severed, sperm
will not be able to be ejaculated out of the
penis
 Seminal Vesicles
Found near the base of the urinary bladder
Produce thick secretions that nourish the
sperm and help sperm move easier
Prostate Gland
Encircles the urethra near the bladder
About the size of a walnut
Secretes a thin, milky fluid that protects
the sperm from acid in the female
reproductive system
 Cowpers Gland
Found near urethra
below the prostate

Prior to ejaculation
this gland secretes
a clear fluid that
protects the sperm
from acid in the
male urethra
Bladder
A triangular sac that stores urine before it
is excreted out of the body
Sphincter Valve

A small piece of skin, a muscle that holds

back urine or semen so that both do not
come out of the body at the same time
Path of Sperm

Testes
Epydidimis
Vas deferens
Prostate Gland
Seminal Vesicle
Sphincter Valve
Urethra
Ejaculated out of Body
Path of Sperm

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