Chapter 6: Male Sexual

Anatomy and Physiology

 Chapter 6 Outline

• The Male Sexual and Reproductive System

– External Sex Organs
– Internal Sex Organs
– Other Sex Organs
• The Male Maturation Cycle
– Male Puberty
– Andropause
 Chapter 6 Outline (Cont.)

• Male Reproductive and Sexual Health

– Diseases of the Male Reproductive Organs
– Other Conditions that Affect the Male
Reproductive Organs
– Cancer of the Male Reproductive Organs
 The Male Sexual and
Reproductive System

• External Sex Organs

• Internal Sex Organs
• Other Sex Organs
 External Sex Organs

• Boys are typically more comfortable with their

genitalia than girls
– Testes are visible (ovaries are internal)
– Penis is typically held during urination
• External sex organs
– Penis
– Scrotum
 The Penis

• Contains urethra for urine and semen

transport
• Becomes erect to better penetrate the vagina
and deposit sperm near the os
• No bone, little muscle
• Composed of 3 cylinders of erectile tissue
– Corpora cavernosa (2)
– Corpus spongiosum (contains the urethra)
Figure 6.1 The internal structure of the penis.
 The Glans Penis

• The conelike end of the penis

– Corona
– Frenulum
– Meatus
• Sensitive to stimulation
 The Glans Penis (Cont.)

• Foreskin is a fold of skin that can cover part

or all of the glans; retracts over the corona
during an erection
• Circumcision – surgical removal of the
foreskin; most common male surgery in the
U.S.
– Religious/cultural ritual
– Health reasons
– Medical value is questionable
 The Root of the Penis

• Extends into the body below the pubic bone

• Attached to internal pelvic muscles and can
be felt in the perineum
Figure 6.2 The male reproductive organs.
 Erection

• Any type of stimulation perceived as sexual

can cause an erection; spinal reflex
• Erection also occurs during REM, possibly to
keep the penis supplied with blood
• Nerve fibers open the arteries of the penis to
allow blood to flow into the 3 cylinders
• Veins compress to prevent exit of blood
• Flaccid state returns when arteries constrict
and the veins open to allow blood to flow out
 The Scrotum

• Loose, wrinkled pouch beneath the penis

containing the testicles
• Lightly covered with pubic hair
• Functions to keep the testicles 3°C cooler
than the body’s temperature to keep sperm
viable
– Contains sweat glands
– Cremaster muscle moves the scrotum
closer to or farther from the body (protects)
 Internal Sex Organs

• Testes
• Epididymis
• Vas deferens
• Seminal vesicles
• Prostate gland
• Cowper’s glands
 The Testicles

• Two egg-shaped glands in the scrotum

• 2 inches long, 1 inch diameter
• Typically one (usually the left) hangs a bit
lower to allow sliding past rather than
compression
• 2 primary functions:
– Testosterone production
– Spermatogenesis
Figure 6.4 Internal structure of the testicle.
 Testosterone Production

• Testosterone is the most important male

hormone
• Interstitial, or Leydig, cells in the testicles
produce testosterone out of cholesterol
 Spermatogenesis

• Seminiferous tubules produce and store

sperm
• Sertoli cells (in the tubules) provide nutrition
for the development of sperm
• This process begins with spermatogonium on
the outer wall of the tubules; they move
toward the center during development as
primary spermatocytes, then divide to form
secondary spermatocytes, and divide again
into spermatids
 Spermatogenesis (Cont.)

• Spermatids form the compact head covered

by an acrosome that contains enzymes to
penetrate the egg
• The midpiece is formed and serves as the
energy source
• The flagellum propels the mature sperm
• Sperm production takes 72 days, but is
constant and each male produces about 300
million sperm a day
Figure 6.5 Spermatogenesis is continually taking place with various levels of sperm development
throughout the testis.
Colored scan of seminiferous tubules, each containing a swirl of forming sperm cells (in blue).
 Spermatogenesis

• Immature sperm travel from the tubules to the

epididymis; organ that rests atop the testicle
• Old and faulty sperm are reabsorbed here
• They mature in 10-14 days in the epididymis
• Upon maturity they are transferred to the vas
deferens for storage
 The Ejaculatory Pathway

• Ejaculation – physiological process where

seminal fluid is powerfully expelled from the
penis
• Pathway organs:
– Vas deferens
– Seminal vesicles
– Prostate gland
– Cowper’s glands
 The Ejaculatory Pathway (Cont.)

• Vas deferens – 18-inch tube that carries

sperm from the testicles, combines fluids from
other glands, and propels the sperm
• Seminal vesicles – next to the ampulla of the
vas deferens; secretes a nutritional bath for
traveling sperm; 60-70% of the ejaculate
volume; joins the vas deferens to form the
ejaculatory duct that passes into the prostate
and then forms the urethra
 The Ejaculatory Pathway (Cont.)

• Prostate gland – walnut-sized gland beneath

the bladder; secretes a fluid that neutralizes
the acidity of the vagina that would be lethal
to sperm; 25-30% of the ejaculate’s volume
• Cowper’s (bulbourethral) glands – 2 pea-
sized glands next to the urethra, under the
prostate; contributes fluid that cleans the
urethra of lethal acidic urine; comprises the
majority of the pre-ejaculatory fluid
 Ejaculation

• Begins in the spinal cord once a threshold is

reached, and proceeds until the conclusion
 Ejaculation (Cont.)

• Once the threshold is reached:

– Epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate
empty their fluids into the urethral bulb
– A sphincter closes off the bladder
– 5-15 contractions at the base of the penis
squeeze the urethral bulb
– Ejaculate is expelled
– Orgasm
– Return to flaccid state
 Ejaculate/Semen

• 2-5 milliliters of fluid

• 50-150 million sperm per milliliter
• Few sperm reach the ovum
• Sperm work together in order to fertilize the
egg
• Semen coagulates upon ejaculation; this
helps it remain in the vagina and travel into
the uterus
• 5-20 minutes later it thins out
 Other Sex Organs

• Breasts – mostly muscle and no functional

purpose; some men are sexually pleased
when the nipples are stimulated
• Erogenous zones – scrotum, testicles, anus
• Stimulation perceived as sexually exciting
can determine what is erogenous to each
person
 The Male Maturation Cycle

• Male puberty
• Andropause
 Male Puberty

• Around 10 years of age, the hypothalamus

starts to release gonadotropin releasing
hormone (GnRH) which signals the pituitary
to release FSH and LH
• At the testes, LH stimulates testosterone
production; the two combine and FSH
stimulate sperm production (around 12 years)
• Negative feedback loop
Figure 6.6 The cycle of male hormones.
 Male Puberty (Cont.)

• Many organs and glands increase in size:

testicles, penis, epididymis, prostate, seminal
vesicles, Cowper’s glands
• Growth spurt initiated by testosterone levels
• Testosterone and DHT develop the secondary
sex characteristics: larger muscles and
bones, pubic hair, thick and tough skin, deep
voice, facial and chest hair, increased sex
drive
 Andropause

• Testosterone levels decrease about 1% per

year after 40 years of age
• In the 70s and 80s, andropause occurs
• Andropause symptoms: decreased
spermatogenesis, thinner ejaculate, less
ejaculatory force, libido decreases, fatigue,
mood disturbances, decreased strength
• Controversy over hormone treatments
 Male Reproductive and Sexual Health

• Diseases of the male reproductive organs

• Other conditions that affect the male
reproductive organs
• Cancer of the male reproductive organs
 Diseases of the Male Reproductive
Organs

• Cryptorchidism – testes do not descend into

the scrotum; surgery necessary to correct
Figure 6.7 Although the testicles of a fetus begin high in the abdomen, they must descend into
the scrotum during fetal development. If they do not, the male may become infertile.
 Diseases of the Male Reproductive
Organs

• Testicular torsion – testis is twisted on its

spermatic cord; many causes (sex, exercise,
sleep); symptoms are pain and swelling;
immediate surgery is required to maintain the
testicle
Figure 6.8 Testicular torsion can occur after exercise, sexual intercourse, and even while sleeping.
 Diseases of the Male Reproductive
Organs

• Priapism – persistent, painful erection not

related to sexual excitement; blood is trapped
in erectile tissue; common causes are drug
use and unknown; treatment is cessation of
drug use and, possibly, surgery
• Peyronie’s disease – painful curvature of the
penis making penetration impossible; cause
is unknown; may disappear within 2 years, or
require drugs or surgery
 Other Conditions that Affect the Male
Reproductive Organs

• Anabolic-androgenic steroid use – synthetic

testosterone can increase muscle mass and
endurance; there are also numerous physical,
psychological, and emotional side effects,
including erectile problems
 Other Conditions that Affect the Male
Reproductive Organs (Cont.)

• Inguinal hernia – intestine goes through an

abdominal opening into the scrotum, creating
a bulge; can be due to heavy lifting and
straining; surgery may be required
• Hydrocele – fluid accrues & forms a scrotal
mass
 Cancer of the Male Reproductive
Organs

• Testicular
• Penile
• Prostate
 Testicular Cancer

• Most common cancer in men 15-44 years

• Few early symptoms, early detection
important; testicular self-exam
• Symptoms: painless mass or hardness in the
testes; pain or increase in size of the testes,
lower back pain, gynecomastia, shortness of
breath, urethral obstruction
• High cure rate: radiation, chemotherapy,
removal of testicle
 Penile Cancer

• Lesions on the penis may be benign or

malignant and are usually treatable; may also
be a STI
• Penile cancer is not common
 Prostate Cancer

• Prostate glands enlarge with age and this is

typically unproblematic, other than interfering
with urination
• Prostate cancer is one of the most common in
American men, typically in men over 50 years
• Risk factors: age, high fat diet, race, genetics
• Symptoms: pain in the lower back, pelvis, or
upper thigh, and urinary abnormalities
• Detected through rectal exam and blood test
 Prostate Cancer (Cont.)

• Treatments: “watchful waiting”, radical

prostatectomy, radiation, cryosurgery, drugs
that attack cancerous cells