Male Reproductive Anatomy

Ductus (vas) deferens

This is a small duct that ascends along the posterior border of the Epididymis which penetrates through the inguinal canal and enters the pelvic cavity. This is the site for a vasectomy.

Tunica vaginalis

This is a thin serous sac that surrounds the outside of each testicle.

Tunica albuginea

This is a tough fibrous membrane that lies directly on top of each testicle.

Corpus spongiosum

This is a single column of erectile tissue that surrounds the Urethra.

Corpora cavernosa

These are paired columns of erectile tissue inside the shaft of the penis. (Singular - corpus cavernosum)

Seminiferous tubules

These are slender ducts which are located in the inside of the testicle and is where sperm production occurs.

Testes

These are the male gonads, which are paired and oval in shape. Each testicle produces testosterone and sperm. One testicle always hangs lower then the other so that they do not compress each other.

Spermatic cord

This extends from the testes to the inguinal canal and consists of the vas deferens, testicular artery and vein, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

Epididymis

This is a comma shaped duct located on the posterior border of each testicle. This is the site for sperm storage and maturation. Also, it carries the sperm from the testicle to the vas deferens.

Urethra

This is a duct that drains not only urine in the male, it also drains sperm.

Scrotum

This is a sac like structure that supports and protects the testes. The testes are held in the scrotum which is outside the pelvic cavity for temperature regulation. The temperature is about 2 degrees lower in order to allow the survival of sperm.

Prostate gland

This is an accessory sex gland that secretes a thin milky liquid which contributes to 30% of the semen.Pathophysiology - The prostate gland weighs about 20g by the time a male is about 20 years old and stops growing. When a male reaches around the age of 45 years old this gland begins to grow again. This is why the prostate gland needs to be checked to see if the enlargement is benign. This exam is done through the rectum where the prostate gland can be palpated due to its location. Prostate diseases are very common and prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men.

Pampiniform plexus

This is an extensive network of veins that surround the testicular artery in the spermatic cord. The heat from the blood flowing through the testicular artery is absorbed by the testicular veins flowing in the opposite direction, lowering the temperature to allow for the survival of sperm.

Inguinal canal

This is an oblique passageway in the anterior abdominal wall which is formed by the inguinal ligament. This is generally a weak area and the usual location of development of an inguinal hernia.

Penis

This is the external genitalia of the male and it serves to deposit semen in the vagina.

Testicular artery

This is the major vessel carrying oxygenated blood to the testes. The blood pressure is very low and there is no pulse found. The blood flow to the testes is low in oxygen and in response the sperm produce large mitochondria.

Testicular vein

This is the major vessel carrying unoxygenated blood away from the testes. The right vein drains into the inferior vena cava and the left vein drains into the left renal vein.

Glans

This is the most external portion of the penis or head.