1.66. Male Reproductive Structures http://www.ck12.org
FIGURE 1.128
This drawing shows the organs of the
male reproductive system. It shows the
organs from the side. Find each organ
in the drawing as you read about it in the
text.- Theepididymisis a tube that is about six meters (20 feet) long in adults. It is tightly coiled, so it fits inside
the scrotum. It rests on top of the testes. The epididymis is where sperm grow larger. The epididymis also
stores sperm until they leave the body.
Other parts of the male reproductive system include the vas deferens and the prostate gland. Both of these structures
are pictured below (Figure1.128).
- Thevas deferensis a tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
- Theprostate glandsecretes a fluid that mixes with sperm to help form semen.Semenis a "milky" liquid that
carries sperm through the urethra and out of the body.
Vocabulary
- epididymis: Tube in the male reproductive organs in which sperm mature and are stored until they leave the
body. - penis: Cylindar-shaped male reproductive organ containing the urethra through which sperm and urine pass
out of the body. - prostate gland: Gland that secretes a fluid that mixes with sperm to help form semen.
- scrotum: Sac of skin that holds the testes.
- semen: "Milky" liquid that carries sperm through the urethra and out of the body.
- testes: Male reproductive organs that produce sperm and secrete testosterone.
- urethra: Tube that carries urine and sperm out of the body.
- vas deferens: Tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
Summary
- Male reproductive organs include the penis, testes, and epididymis.
- The testes produce sperm and secrete testosterone.