STUDY GUIDE:
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

During puberty, the male’s _________________ gland increases in production
of a hormone called ________

LH travels through the bloodstream to the ______________ and causes them to
secrete ______________________

Testosterone is a hormone that produces the male ________________ sex
characteristics

Male Secondary Sex Characteristics
o ____________________________
o ____________________________
o ____________________________
o Growth in facial hair, pubic hair, and body hair
o _______________________________________
o Enlargement of penis, scrotum, and testes

During puberty, a male may notice that he has sudden __________________
changes and __________________ feelings

________________________ is responsible for causing these changes

Physical changes that occur in a male during puberty become noticeable between
the ages of _______________

External Male Reproductive Organs
o The external organs are the _____________ and __________________
o The penis is the male sex organ used for _________________________
and ______________________
o The _____________________ is a saclike pouch that hangs under the
penis and holds the testes
o The scrotum helps regulate the _______________________ of the testes
o The testes are male reproductive glands that produce _____________ cells
and the hormone ______________________________
o The scrotum hangs from the body so that the testes have a temperature
___________ degrees lower than the rest of the body
o If it becomes to ___________, the ______________ will contract,
bringing the testes closer to the body for warmth
o ____________ are protected this way

Sperm are male _________________________________________
o A sperm is made of a ___________, which contains the _____________
of the cell; a body; and a _____________
o A sperm measures about ______________ of an inch long
o Sperm make up about ______________% of semen

Internal Male Reproductive Organs
o The testes
o _________________________ tubules
o Epididymis
o __________ ___________________
o _________________ vesicles
o ____________________ duct
o Prostate gland
o ______________________ glands
o Urethra

The testes are divided into several sections that are filled with
_________________________________

The seminiferous tubules are a network of ______________ tubules in which
____________ are produced

________________________________ is the process by which sperm are
produced

After sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules, they move by contractions
from the _______________ to the ___________________________

The epididymis is a comma-shaped structure along the upper rear surface of the
testes
o Sperm mature in the epididymis
o Some sperm are stored in the _______________________, but most move
to the _______ __________________ after they mature

Vas deferens = two long, thin tubes that act as a __________________ for sperm
and a place for sperm storage
o The extend from the ___________________ to the ____________ up into
the abdomen
o The walls of the vas deferens are lined with ______________
o The contractions of the vas deferens, along with the action of the
___________, help transport the sperm
o In the abdomen, the vas deferens circle the _______________ and connect
with the ducts of the _____________ vesicles to form the
___________________ duct

Seminal vesicles = two elongated saclike glands at the base of the bladder that
secrete a fluid that nourishes the sperm and helps them move
o They contribute to ________% of the fluid that is ejaculated

Ejaculatory duct = a short, straight tube that passes into the _______________
gland and opens into the ________________
o Urethra = serves as a passageway for ___________ and ____________ to
leave the body

Prostate gland = a gland that produces a fluid that helps keep sperm alive
o The prostate gland is about the size of a ________________
o The prostate gland is located beneath the ______________ and surrounds
the _____________________
o Without the fluid from the prostate gland, _____________________
would be almost impossible because many sperm would die

Cowper’s glands are located beneath the __________________ gland
o Cowper’s glands are two small glands about the size of peas that secrete a
clear, lubricating fluid into the _______________ as part of the semen
o Semen is the fluid that is released by the ____________________ tract
o Semen contains ___________ and fluids from the ________________
vesicles, __________ gland, and Cowper’s glands

_______________= process that occurs when the penis swells with blood and
elongates.

_______________ = the passage of semen from the penis and is a result of a
series of involuntary muscular contractions

Circumcision = the end of the penis is covered by pierce of skin called the
_______________
o Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis
o This procedure is usually preformed on the ____________ day after birth
o Circumcision may reduce the risk of _________________ infections and
____________ of the penis
o Males who are not circumcised should pull the foreskin back and cleanse
the penis regularly to prevent _____________ from collecting
o ________________ = a substance that forms under the foreskin,
consisting of dead skin and other secretions

What causes an inguinal hernia?
o In a developing ____________, the testes pass from the ______________
into the ______________ through the _____________ canal during the
______________ month of pregnancy
o Then the inguinal canal closes to keep the _______________ from also
passing into the _____________
o In some males, the inguinal canal does not completely close off. The
_________________ pass into the inguinal canal and the male develops an
inguinal _______________
o Inguinal hernia = a hernia in which some of the intestines pushes through
the inguinal canal into the scrotum
o ____________ heavy objects sometimes stresses this area and is the cause
of the hernia (it can be repaired _________________)

Mumps is a ______________ infection that affects the _______________ glands.
Mumps usually occurs in childhood
o There is a ________________ to prevent mumps, but some people do not
get the mumps vaccine
o If a male has mumps after _______________, the virus can cause swelling
of the __________________
o The ___________________________ tubules may be crushed and
become incapable of producing ____________. This causes
______________
o _________________ = the inability to produce offspring

____________________ cancer is the ____________ most common cancer in
males

A major symptom of prostate cancer is ______________ prostate

Physicians use ______________________ examination in which the physician
inserts a finger into the _____________ and examines the internal reproductive
organs for irregularities

The American Cancer Society recommends that males over the age of _______
have a digital rectal examination _________________

Having a PSA (______________ _____________ ________________) test also
is recommended for males over _____________ (or at age _____ if family
history)
o This ___________ test detects if __________________ production in the
prostate is ________________. If it is, it can mean that cancer of the
prostate exists.

___________________ cancer is one of the most common cancers among males
between ages of ___________________
o The best way to detect testicular cancer is by doing a regular testicular
_____________-____________________
o Testicular self-examination = a screen procedure in which a male check
his ___________ for _____________ or tenderness
o If detected early, testicular cancer has a ___________ rate of cure
o Teen males should being the __________ of performing testicular selfexaminations

The prime cause of male _______________ concerns his ___________
o Sperm may be affected by _____________, STD, injuries, or
_____________ disorder
o Some risks of infertility can be controlled. These include


Exposure to ___________

Tobacco and ___________________ use

Intense _________________ over a period of time

________________ use of alcohol
How to protect male reproductive health
o Practice ___________________________ from sex
o Bend at the __________ and keep ___________ straight when lifting
heavy objects
o Wear _________________ clothing and equipment when participating in
sports and physical activity
o Perform _________________ self-examinations
o Have regular ________________ checkups
o Seek medical attention when you show signs of _____________________
o Bathe or shower ________________