Summary: The Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system , as stated previously, is different from the female reproductive system. The male reproductive system consists of testes, ducts, accessory sex glands, the penis, and scrotum (McLafferty, 2012 p1).
The testes consist of glandular tissue and each testis is contained in a white fibrous capsule called the tunica albuginea (McLafferty 2012 p1). The testes are held in the scrotum which is a loose sac of skin and smooth muscle. Approximately two months before birth, the testes descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal sac (McLafferty 2012,p1). It is critical that the testes are outside of the body before birth because the temperature of the testes is crucial to the survival of the sperm so the temperature of the testes needs to be lower than the temperature of the core body temperature ( McLafferty, 2012,p1.). If the temperature outside is too cold, the scrotal sac contracts to draw the testes close to the body allowing the body to reduce the heat lost (McLafferty 2012,p1-2). If the temperature outside is too warm, the testes descend so the cool air can circulate to lower the temperature (McLafferty, …show more content…
The epididymis lies along the top and behind each testis inside the scrotum (McLafferty, 2012 p3.). The sperm travels from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis where the sperm matures (McLafferty, 2012 p3.). The sperm travels along this duct to the vas deferens which is another temporary storage place for the sperm. On each side of the prostate gland is an ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct is approximately two centimeter in length and is made when the seminal vesicle’s duct merges with the vas deferens. Semen flows through each ejaculatory duct during ejaculation eventually exiting through the penis. The urethra is contained with in the penis and provides and exit for both semen and urine