The male reproductive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to produce and deliver sperm for fertilization of the female egg.
The primary organs of the male reproductive system include the testes, which are responsible for producing sperm and testosterone, the hormone that regulates male sexual characteristics. The testes are located in the scrotum, a sac of skin that hangs outside the body to maintain a lower temperature necessary for sperm production.
Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes and then stored and matured in the epididymis, a coiled tube located on the back of each testicle. From the epididymis, sperm travel through the vas deferens, a muscular tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra.
The urethra is a tube that runs through the penis and serves as a passageway for both urine and semen. During ejaculation, sperm are mixed with fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands to form semen, which is then expelled through the urethra.
The male reproductive system also includes accessory glands such as the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands, which produce fluids that nourish and protect sperm during ejaculation. These fluids also help to neutralize the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract, increasing the chances of sperm survival.
Overall, the male reproductive system is essential for the production and delivery of sperm for fertilization, and plays a crucial role in human reproduction.