psych 210 CH. 3 male bodies
semen (ejaculate)
-30% prostatic fluid, 70% seminal fluids, <1% sperm -thick, cloudy and off white
circumcision
-5-10 min procedure on infant after brith -weak benefits but reduces HIV and HPV transmission -rate of procedure declining (bc the procedure is done on a baby, unnecessary...)
penis size
-males more unsatisfied with own than females are of male partners -role of media and masculinity (especially from porn, social media - unrealistic images) -diversity exists across all males and every penis size
prostate cancer
-males over 50 -highly treatable if detected early, five year survival rate ~ 99% -it is the most common type of non-skin cancer in males -symptoms: difficulty urinating, blood in urine or blood, pain in lower back and hips -detectable by routine digital rectal exam (is the prostate enlarged), blood tests for PSA -treatment: remove prostate/nearby lymph nodes, radiation therapy, testosterone blocking drugs
benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
-males over 60 -prostate continues to grow through adult life, can constrict urethra as it passes through prostate causing weak urine flow, urgency and high frequency in urination
nocturnal erections
-phenomenon that is thought to begin in utero -may help oxygenate penile tissue and maintain elasticity by continuously pooling blood in and out of penis -occurs during REM, when dreams occur -dreams do not need to be erotic, occur 3-5 times a night
bulbourethral glands (cowpers glands)
-two pea sized glands located below prostate gland -secrete pre-cum which appears at tip of penis @1 min prior ejaculation, does not contain sperm but can still lead to pregnancy -help neutralize the naturally acidic environments of male's urethra and vagina to ensure viability of sperm
accessory sexual structures
1. anus: same nerve supply as in genitals, dilates in response to stimulation, contracts during orgasm, highly tearable (no lubrication), highly capable of transmitting STIs 2. perineum: bw base of penis and anus, some are aroused by erotic touch 3. nipples: response varies, can have additional nipples
4 parts to sperm
1. head: nucleus 2. flagellum: tail that propels it forward 3. acrosome: surrounds top of head, receptors and enzymes that facilitate fertilization of ovum 4. midpiece: part of flagellum closest to head, tightly wound with mitochondria (energy supply for sperm)
process of ejaculation
1. prior to emission, fluids from vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate gland are expelled into urethra = semen 2. urethral sphincter at base of bladder constricts, preventing back flow and forcing semen out of body 3. once emission begins, it is experienced as an inevitable pulsing sensation at base of penis, each burst squeezes semen from urethra that decrease in instensity
process of ejaculation (more concise)
1. sperm travels up from base of vas deferens 2. sperm are pushed around the top of bladder 3. sperm are mixed with seminal fluid in the ejaculatory ducts 4. sperm is mixed with fluid from prostate gland 5. semen is emitted through the urethra and out of penis
corpus spongiosum
ENLARGES during erection, contributing to its SIZE
corona
a rim of tissue that encircles the glans
inguinal canal
a tube that connects the spermatic cord through the abdominal wall and into the groin
ischiocavernosus muscle
affects angle of male's erection and allows for voluntary movement of penis when it is erect
autonomic nervous system
all genital receptors relevant to erection are triggered by a spinal reflex
priapism
an erection sustained for a long time in the absence of stimulation -can cause damage bc tissue in penis has no blood flow
erection
arteries in corpora cavernosa open and blood pools in
lumen
as sperm mature, the migrate into these tubes
variocele
causes the veins in the testicles to swell and feel like "a bag of worms"
urethra
center of shaft, double function: discharge urine and semen -sterile
shaft
contains three structures bound together by connective tissue
most erotically sensitive areas of the penis
corona and frenulum
epididymis
curved structure that attaches to the bottom and top surface of testicle -where mature sperm migrate from lumen -sperm remain here for about a week until they form a paste like mass -sperm can partially move during this period
viagra
drug used to treat erectile dysfunction
phimosis
foreskin cannot be retracted/pulled back to expose glans
paraphimosis
foreskin is trapped behind corona and cant be pulled back over the glans
Interstitial cells
found between seminiferous tubules, produce testosterone
prostaglandins
found in high concentration in sperm hormones that act as chem messengers also present in females
on its own, seminal fluid contains...
fructose and prostaglandins
vasocongest
grow erect
glans
head of penis
genital end-bulbs
highly concentrated sensory nerve endings that are responsive to tactile stimulation during sex -dense around corona and frenulum
function of the scrotum
holds the testicles
orchitis
inflammation of the testicle that frequently co-occurs with epididymitis
ejaculatory ducts
left and right seminal vesicles combine to the right and left vas defentia -here sperm mix with fluid from seminal vesicles
corpora cavernosa
lie on either side of penis, HARDEN during arousal, CONTROLS ANGLE of erection for penetration
prostate gland (paraurethral gland)
located in the midline of male body, below bladder, equivalent of Skene's gland in females -sperm (plus seminal fluid) mixes with prostate fluid as it passes from ejaculatory duct through prostate -prostate fluid is 30% of semen
spermatic cord
loose bundle of structures that connect each testicle to important internal organs
foreskin
loose fold of skin partially covering the glans in an uncircumcised penis
frenulum
looser skin created when the corona moves on the underside of penis
cremaster muscle
muscle that wraps around the spermatic cord and is a sling for the testicles KEEPS SPERM AT IDEAL TEMP
bulbospongiosus and pubococcygeus muscles
muscles involved in orgasm and ejaculation
prostatis
non-cancerous, can be chronic or acute -inflammation of prostate, pain during ejaculation/urination, can lead to pain in lower back or pelvis -usually caused by UTI
scrotum
part of male external genitalia -contains two testicles
prostate gland releases fluid that...
prevents semen from coagulating
spermatogenesis
process that prouduces sperm
function of testicles
produce sperm and sex steroids
seminal vesicles
reside directly behind bladder contain no semen secrete a fluid that contains fructose (a sugar) as well as prostaglandins, which enable the motility and viability of sperm fluid from here makes up 70% of semen
penile bulb
rounded mass of erectile tissue formed by corpus spongiosum at the end of the penis (closest to male's body)
ejaculation (emission)
series of rhythmic contractions of the muscles surrounding urethra and pelvic floor
vas deferens
sperm are stored here until ejaculation
epididymitis
swelling of testicle due to an infection often caused by an STI or other bacteria
hydrocele
swelling of the testicle due to collection of fluid around membranes of testicle
balantis
swollen glans as a result of infection
testicular cancer
symptoms include lump in testicle and maybe pain in lower abdomen
mechanics of erection
tiny spaces called sinusoids inside the corpora cavernosa fill with blood during erection, veins of penis that carry blood out, close, allowing pinis to vasocongest and grow erect (when penis is flaccid, arteries leading into sinusoids are blocked)
vas deferens
tube within the spermatic cord which carries mature sperm up from the testicles
peyronie's disease
unnatural curvature of the penis usually due to scar tissue
seminiferous tubules
very fine and twisty networks of tubules inside the testicle, WHERE SPERM DEVELOPMENT BEGINS
crura
where two corpora cavernosa diverge in the penile bulb