Male Reproductive System
- Consists of organs in the male body that are involved in producing offspring
- Penis: male organ used for reproduction and urination
- Scrotum: sac-like pouch that holds the testes and helps regulate there temperature
- Testes: male reproductive glands that produce sperm cells and testosterone
- Sperm: Male reproductive cells
- Seminiferous tubules: network of coiled tubes in which sperm are produced
- Spermatogenesis: process by which sperm is produced
- Epididymus: comma shaped structure along the upper rear surface of the testes where sperm mature
- Vas Deferens: two long, thin tubes that act as a passageway for sperm and a place for sperm storage
- Seminal Vesicles: are two small glands that secrete a fluid rich in sugar that nourishes and helps sperm move
- Ejaculatory Duct: A short tube that passes into the prostate gland and opens into the urethra
- Prostate Gland: gland that produces a fluid that helps keep sperm alive
- Cowper’s Gland: two small glands that secrete a clear, lubricating fluid into the urethra
- Erection: a process that occurs when the penis swells with blood and elongates.
- Ejaculation: the passage of semen from the penis and is a result of muscular contractions
- Semen: is the fluid that contains sperm and fluids from the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and Cowper’s gland
Testicular exams can make any guy feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, but just like a blood pressure check, they're a normal part of a physical examination. Doctors check the testicles and the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and that there are no problems, such as a hernia, a varicocele, or, in rare cases, a tumor. Teens should also learn how to perform testicular self-examinations so they can learn what is normal and what changes might signal a problem.