Male reproductive system (human)

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This article is about the human male reproductive system. For the male reproductive systems of other organisms, see Sexual reproduction.

The human male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that are a part of the human reproductive process. In the case of men, these sex organs are located outside a man's body, around the pelvic region.

The main male sex organs are the penis and the testes which produce semen and sperm, which as part of sexual intercourse fertilize an ovum in a woman's body and the fertilized ovum (zygote) gradually develops into a fetus, which is later born as a child.

[edit] Penis

Main article: Penis

The penis has a long shaft and enlarged tip called the glans penis. The penis is the male copulatory organ. When the male becomes sexually aroused, the penis becomes erect and ready for sexual intercourse. Erection is achieved because blood sinuses within the erectile tissue of the penis become filled with blood. The arteries of the penis are dilated while the veins are passively compressed so that blood flows into the erectile cartilage under pressure. The male penis is made of two different tissues. Cartilage is not in the penis.

[edit] Testicles

Main article: Testicle

The testes hang outside the abdominal cavity of the male within the scrotum. They begin their development in the abdominal cavity but descend into the scrotal sacs during the last 2 months of fetal development. This is required for the production of sperm because internal body temperatures are too high to produce viable sperm.

[edit] Epididymae

Main article: Epididymus

The epididymus is a whitish mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the testicles. It acts as a storage place for sperm before they enter the vasa deferentia, tubes that carry sperm form the testes to the urethra.