CHAPTER 13-THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
I. STRUCTURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
A. Testes-male gonads. These are responsible for producing sperm.
1. The testes are surrounded and protected by a fold of skin known as the scrotum.
2. Sperm develop in the scrotum itself. The scrotum plays a role in regulating the
temperature of the sperm.
3. Mature sperm are stored in a collection of tubes known as the epididymis. Sperm
vesicles and into the ejaculatory duct.
4. Seminiferous tubules-small tubules in the testes, contain cells that produce
testosterone (the male sex hormone, regulates development of male secondary
sex characteristics).
a. These tubules also produce sperm-the male gamete.
B. Epididymis-ducts along the superior surface of each testicle.
1. These function by storing sperm after they exit the seminiferous tubules.
2. Sperm leave the epididymis via a small tube known as the vas deferens.
a. The vas deferens is a small tube that passes through the inguinal canal into
the abdominal cavity.
b. The vas deferens continues over the top and down the posterior side of
the bladder where it joins the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct.
3. The Seminal Vesicle-contains nutrients for the sperm and it produces a large
majority of the seminal fluid that is ejaculated.
4. The Ejaculatory Duct-passes through the prostate gland and empties into the
urethra.
5. Prostate Gland-small organ located at the base of the bladder. This gland secretes
an alkaline material into the seminal fluid which acts to protect the sperm from the
acidic conditions of the male urethra and female vagina.
6. Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Glands-small glands located below the Prostate gland.
a. These produce alkaline fluid for the sperm.
b. These glands empty their secretions into the urethra via small ducts.
7. The Urethra-passageway that expels semen and urine from the body.
8. Penis-male organ of copulation it contains erectile tissue that encloses the urethra.
a. Glans Penis-enlarged tip of the penis is covered by the Prepuce (Foreskin).
II. COMBINING FORMS/SUFFIXES/PREFIXES-pages 432-434.
III. PATHOLOGY
A. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
1. Gonorrhea
2. Chlamydia
3. Syphilis
4. Genital Herpes
5. Genital Warts
6. Trichomoniasis
B. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
C. Cryptorchidism
D. Prostate Cancer
E. Testicular Cancer
IV. DISEASES/CONDITIONS/PROCEDURES-pages 438-443
V. PHARMACOLOGY-page 444.