A) Anatomy
B) Microscopic Testes XS
C) Microscopic Epididymis XS
D) Sperm
E) Male Contraception
F) Questions

A) Anatomy
B) Microscopic Uterine Tube XS
C) Microscopic Uterine Wall XS
D) Mammary Glands
E) Female Contraception
F) Microscopic Ovary XS
G) Menstrual Cycle
H) Questions

A) Anatomy

The male reproductive system produces male gametes (spermatozoa), transports the gametes to the female reproductive tract, and secretes the male reproductive hormone, testosterone. The gonad or gamete producing structure of the male reproductive system is the testis. Since gametes are secreted through ducts or tubules, the testes have an exocrine function. The testes are considered mixed glands because in addition to this exocrine function, they also have an endocrine function – they produce testosterone.

Testis, Ejaculatory duct, Epididymis, Urethra, Scrotal sac, Glans, Ductus (vas) deferens, Foreskin, Seminal vesicle, Penis, Prostate gland, Bulbourethral gland

You can use the table from this link to perform the above assignment
TABLE OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN FUNCTION

Sketch drawings which identify and label the following:
Use Figures 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 as references for the drawings

Testis, Ejaculatory duct, Epididymis, Urethra, Scrotal sac, Glans, Ductus (vas) deferens, Foreskin, Seminal vesicle, Penis, Prostate gland, Bulbourethral gland

The paired oval testes lie in the scrotal sac outside the abdominopelvic cavity. The temperature there (approximately 94^oF, or 34^oC) is slightly lower than body temperature, a requirement for producing viable sperm.

The accessory structures forming the duct system are the epididymis, the ductus deferens, the ejaculatory duct, and the urethra. The epididymis is an elongated structure running up the posterolateral aspect of the testis and capping its superior aspect. The epididymis forms the first portion of the duct system and provides a site for immature sperm entering it from the testis to complete their maturation process. The ductus deferens (sperm duct) arches superiorly from the epididymis, passes through the inguinal canal into the pelvic cavity, and courses over the superior aspect of the urinary bladder. The terminus of the ductus deferens empties into the ejaculatory duct. Contraction of the ejaculatory duct propels the sperm through the prostate gland to the urethra.

When a vasectomy is performed, a small incision is made in each side of the scrotum, and each ductus deferens is cut through or cauterized. Although sperm are still produced, they can no longer reach the body exterior; thus a man is sterile after this procedure.

The accessory glands include the prostate gland, the paired seminal vesicles, and the bulbourethral glands. These glands produce seminal fluid, the liquid medium in which sperm leave the body. The seminal vesicles, which produce about 60% of seminal fluid, lie at the posterior wall of the urinary bladder close to the terminus of the ductus deferens. They produce a viscous alkaline secretion containing fructose (a simple sugar) and other substances that nourish the sperm passing through the tract or promote the fertilizing capability of sperm in some way. The duct of each seminal vesicle merges with a ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct (mentioned above); thus sperm and seminal fluid enter the urethra together.

The prostate gland encircles the urethra just inferior to the bladder. It secretes a milky fluid into the urethra, which plays a role in activating the sperm. The prostate gland adds a buffering fluid to the secretions of the testes and seminal vesicles. The prostate fluid makes up slightly less than 40% of the final semen volume. Hypertrophy of the prostate gland, a troublesome condition commonly seen in elderly men, constricts the urethra so that urination is difficult.

The bulbourethral glands are tiny, pea-shaped glands inferior to the prostate. They produce a thick, clear, alkaline mucus that drains into the membranous urethra. This secretion acts to wash residual urine out of the urethra when ejaculation of semen (sperm plus seminal fluid) occurs. The relative alkalinity of seminal fluid also buffers the sperm against the acidity of the female reproductive tract. The paired glands also add a lubricant to the seminal fluid. Seminal fluid consists of secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. Semen consists of seminal fluid plus the addition of spermatozoa from the testes. Spermatozoa make up much less than 1% of the total volume of semen.