Reproductive System (Human): Key Words (Male)
Epididymis
Prostate gland
Scrotum
Corpus cavernosum One of the two
cylindrical channels forming part of the
erectile tissue of the penis (plural:
corpora cavernosa).
Corpus spongiosum A single channel
surrounding the urethra that is part of the
erectile tissue of the penis.
Cowper’s glands A pair of small glands
opening into the urethra at the base of
the penis. Their secretions form a small
part of seminal fluid.
Cremaster muscle A thin layer of
muscle looping over the spermatic cord.
It pulls up the testis when it contracts.
Dartos muscle A thin layer of muscle
under the skin of the scrotum. It tightens
in the cold, causing the skin to wrinkle
and the testis to rise.
Ductus deferens See Vas deferens.
Ejaculation The discharging of semen
from the penis at orgasm.
Ejaculatory ducts The tubes that
connect the seminal vesicles and urethra.
Epididymis A coiled tubule on each
testis where sperm are stored and mature
(plural: epididymides).
Erectile tissue The corpora cavernosa
and corpus spongiosum. They expand
when filled with blood, causing the penis
to become erect.
Foreskin (or Prepuce) Loose skin that
covers the glans of the penis.
Frenulum A fold of mucous membrane,
as on the prepuce.
Gametes Sex cells: sperm in males; ova
in females.
Genitalia Sex organs.
Glans (or Glans penis) The bulbous end
of the shaft of the penis.
Gonads Primary reproductive organs:
the ovaries and testes.
Inguinal Relating to the groin (the
external depression at the junction
between a thigh and the abdomen).
Interstitial cells Cells in the testes that
produce testosterone.
Penis The male organ of urination and
copulation.
Perineum The part of the body between
the anus and the genitals.
Prepuce See Foreskin.
Prostate gland A gland situated below
the bladder in males. It produces a
sperm-activating fluid that forms nearly a
third of the semen’s volume.
Scrotum The sac that contains the two
testes and the epididymides, hanging
below the abdomen.
Semen Fluid containing sperm and
seminal fluid. It is ejaculated from the
penis at orgasm.
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd.
Seminal fluid The secretions from the
prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and
Cowper’s glands that together form the
largest component of semen.
Seminal vesicles Two accessory glands
situated on the prostate and opening into
the vas deferens, which produce most of
the seminal fluid.
Seminiferous tubules The hundreds of
coiled tubes in the testes where sperm is
produced.
Sperm The common name (singular and
plural) for male sex cells.
Spermatazoon The formal name for
male sex cells (plural: spermatazoa).
Spermatic cord The cord consisting of
the vas deferens, nerves, and blood
vessels that runs between a testis and
the abdominal cavity.
Testicle See Testis.
Testis (or Testicle) One of a pair of
primary male sex organs that
manufacture sperm (plural: testes).
Testosterone A sex hormone made
mainly in the testes. It stimulates the
development of male sexual
characteristics and other features.
Tunica albuginea A fibrous membrane
that is part of the tissue covering the
penis.
Urethra The passage that transports
urine and, in males, semen to outside
the body.
Vas deferens (or Ductus deferens)
One of a pair of muscular tubes that take
sperm from an epididymis to a seminal
vesicle (plural: vasa deferentia).
Vesicle A small sac or bladder that
contains liquid, as in seminal vesicles.