Male Reproductive System

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Understanding the Male Reproductive System

Main Structures of the Male Reproductive System:

1. Testes

  • The powerhouse of sperm production.

  • Also responsible for testosterone production, the hormone that fuels male development and reproductive function.

2. Scrotum

  • A sac that holds and protects the testes.

  • Keeps sperm at the ideal temperature—a few degrees below body temperature.

  • Fun fact: it contracts when cold to bring the testes closer to the body and expands when warm to keep things cool.

3. Epididymis

  • Sperm is stored here after it's produced.

  • It’s the maturation site—sperm gains mobility and the ability to fertilize an egg.

The Path of Sperm:

4. Vas Deferens

  • This tube transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation.

5. Seminal Vesicle

  • Produces seminal fluid, rich in sugar and nutrients.

  • This fluid mixes with sperm to form semen.

6. Prostate Gland

  • Adds additional supportive fluids that help protect sperm and improve motility.

  • Important for sperm survival inside the female reproductive tract.

7. Urethra

  • A shared pathway for both urine and semen (but never at the same time!).

  • Carries semen through the penis and out of the body during ejaculation.

8. Penis

  • The external structure that delivers semen to the female reproductive tract.

  • Also involved in urination.

The Big Picture: Sperm + Seminal Fluid = Semen

Each of the accessory glands (seminal vesicle, prostate gland) contributes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. The combination of these fluids with sperm from the testes creates semen, which is then ejaculated through the urethra during sexual intercourse.



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