Male System and Disorders

The Male Reproductive System

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system is to perform certain functions. Unlike the female system, most of the male system is located outside the body.

To produce, maintain and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protect ive fluid (semen). To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex. To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system.

EXTERNAL ORGANS
Penis: This is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It has three parts, the root, the body or shaft and the glans. The glans also called the head of the penis, is covered by a loose layer of skin called foreskin, (this is sometimes removed by circumcision). The opening of the urethra and sensative nerve endings. The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and consists of 3 circular shaped chambers. These chambers are made up of special, sponge-like tissue. This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused. As the penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows penetration during sexual intercourse. The skin of the penis is loose and elastic to accommodate changes in size during erections. Semen, which contains sperm(reproductive cells)is expelled (ejaculated) through the penis when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm). When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated.

Scrotum: This is a loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind the penis. It contains the testicles (also called testes), as well as many nerves and blood vessels. The scrotum acts as a climate control sysem for the testes. For normal sperm development, the testes must be at room temperature slightly cooler than body temperature. Special muscles in the wall of the scrotum allow it to contact and relax. moving the testicles closer to the body for warmth and farther away from the body tto cool the temperature.

Testicles (testes): These are oval organs about the size of large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at either end by a structure called the spermatic cord. Most men have two testes. The testes are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and for generating sperm. Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tabules. These tubes are responsible for producing sperm cells.

Epididymis: The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It transports and stores sperm cells that are produced in the testes. It also is the job of the epididymis to bring sperm to maturity, since the sperm that emerge from the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization. During sexual arousal, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens.

INTERNAL ORGANS: The internal organs of the male reproductive system are also called accessory organs.

Vas Deferens
The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder. The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra, the tube that carries urine and sperm to outside of the body in preporation for ejaculation.

Ejaculatory Ducts: These are formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles (see below). The ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles: The seminal vesicles are sac-like pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder. The seminal vesticles produce a sugar-rich liquid (fructose) that provides sperm with a source of energy to help them move. The fluid of the seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume of a man's ejaculatory fluid or ejaculate.

Urethra: The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males, it has the additional function of ejaculating semen when the man reaches orgasm. When the penis is erect during sex, the flow of urine is blocked
from the urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated.

Prostate Gland: The prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure that is located below the urinary bladdeeer in front of the rectum. The prostate gland contributes additional fluid to the ejaculate. Prostate fluids also help to nourish the sperm. The urethra, which carries the ejaculate to be expelled during orgasm, runs through the center of the prostate gland.

Bulbourethral Glands: Also called Cowper's glands, these are pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to lubricate the urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra.

HOW THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: The entire system is dependent on hormones, which are chemicals that regulate activity of many different types of cells or organs. The primary hormones involved in male reproductive systems are follicle-stimulating hormones, necessary for sperm production, luteinizing hormones which stimulate the production of testosterone which is also needed to make sperm and testosterone which is responsible for the development of male character, including muscle mass and strenght, fat distribution, bone mass and sex drive..

TESTICLE DISORDERS
Testicular Trauma |Testiculat Torsion |Testicular Cancer |Epididymitis | Hypoponadism

OTHER MALE DISORDERS
Urethritis: This is imflammation of the urethra. In the male the urethra serves as passageway for urine and carries reproductive materials. Gonorrheal Urethritis is the most common infection in men and is characterized by discharge, pain on urination and increased urgency to urinate.

Cystitis: This is an inflammation of the urinary bladder,and may follow an infection of the kidneys, the prostate or the urethra. The most common symptom is urgent, frequent and painful urination. Blood may also be apparent in the urine. This is also common in females.

Pyelonephritis: This is a bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract and can invade the kidney. It effects both male and female. Someone with pyelonephritis can be quite ill, with fever of 104 or 105 F. Shaking, chills and increased pulse rate, nausea, vomiting and pain in back and abdomen can occur. This disorder must be treated immediately before there is severe, irreversible kidney damage.

Hydrocele: A collection of fluid (tumor) in the tunic vaginalis of the testis or spermatic cord.

Cryptorchisa: This is an undescending Testes.

Orchiopexy: Fixation of undescending Testis.

Orchiectomy: Surgical excision of one or both testicles.

**Information contained herein is intended for information only and is not intended to replace your Doctor, or any other Health Care Provider. If you suspect any condition or have any symptoms contact your Doctor immediately.**