The structure and function of the male reproductive organs. Male internal genitalia

Male gonads include both glands of mixed secretion and exocrine (external secretion). The first group includes the testicles, or testicles, and the second group includes the single prostate and paired bulbourethral (Cooper) glands.

Development of the male gonads

The internal gonads of a person begin to form as early as the 4th week of pregnancy - it is at this time that a groove appears near the primary children's kidney, which will soon develop into a single common gonad. For both boys and girls.

With the onset of the 7th week, the universal sexual organ gradually begins to change - in boys, the testes, that is, the testicles, form, and soon begin to move down. If on the 3rd month they sit comfortably in the iliac fossa of the embryo, then by the 6th month they approach the entrance to the inguinal canal.

The next most important stage in the development of the sex glands occurs on the 7th month of stay in the mother's stomach. A large albuginea begins to form around the testicles, and the testicles themselves are rounded. The vas deferens gradually develop, and the sex glands, together with the entire arsenal - nerves, vessels, vas deferens - slowly move along the inguinal canal to the scrotum. This process takes 7-8 months; by birth, 97% of full-term babies have already had their testicles descended.

After the birth of a boy, the glands of the genital organs continue to actively develop. If the testicles do not descend completely, this process is completed during the first year. Then there is only growth.

Changes during puberty

The gonads in children grow very intensively: if a newborn baby has a weight of one testicle of about 0.2 grams, then by the end of the first year of life it is already 0.8 grams.

The testicles actively grow during puberty, at 10-15 years. In 5 years, they become 7.5 times larger and 9.5 times heavier. In a 15-year-old teenager, the testicles weigh 7 grams, in adulthood - 20-30 grams.

The prostate is finally formed by the age of 17. By this time, glandular tissue has been formed, since the age of 10, the gland has been producing prostate juice, its weight in an adult man is 17-28 grams. After 45 years, the glandular tissue will begin to atrophy.

At 10-11 years old, the gonads in the body of boys begin to intensively secrete male hormones - androgens. Male sex hormones work in stages:

• At 10-11 years old, the testicles and penis begin to grow sharply, the larynx expands, and the vocal cords thicken.
• At the age of 12-13, growth continues, pubic hair begins (although it will acquire a male character only by the age of 17).
• 14-15 years old is the time when the voice breaks. Under the influence of sex hormones, the testicles grow even more actively, the scrotum changes color, the first ejaculations occur in a teenager. Facial hair starts to grow.
• At 16-17, the development of the prostate gland ends, there is active hair growth on the face and body.

The structure of the male sex glands

The testicles are special sex glands. Despite the fact that they are outside, scientists consider them to be internal genital organs, but the scrotum, where the testicles are located, is already external.

The testicles are oval, slightly flattened, 4-6 cm long, about 3 cm wide. Outside, the testicles are covered with dense connective tissue - a protein membrane, which thickens at the back and develops into the so-called mediastinum (or Maxillary body). Partitions run from the mediastinum of the testicle into the gland, which divide the gland into 200-300 tiny lobules.

Each lobule contains 2-4 seminiferous tubules, where the main male cells, spermatozoa, are formed.

Countless tubules are formed into a single network, intertwined into 10-18 efferent tubules, flow into the testis duct, from there into the vas deferens, then into the vas deferens. That, in turn, rushes into the abdominal cavity, then into the small pelvis, and then, penetrating the entire prostate, opens into the urethra.

In shape and size it resembles a large chestnut. It is a muscular-glandular organ and consists of 30-50 tubular-alveolar glands. The muscular part of the gland is a kind of sphincter for the urethra, the glandular part is responsible for secretion production.

Two bulbourethral glands are located at the base of the penis, each 0.3-0.8 cm in diameter, the size of a pea. Like the prostate, the structure of the gonads is complex, tubular-alveolar. Inside each there are several small slices, divided into clusters. The ducts of the bulbourethral lobules join to form a single excretory duct, which exits into the urethra.

Functions of the male gonads

The value of the gonads in the body of a man is determined solely by the products of their activity. In the testicles, these are androgen hormones and spermatozoa, in the prostate - its secret (and in a simple way juice), in Cooper's "peas" - also secretory fluid, pre-ejaculate.

All the tasks that these glands perform can be represented in a table.

Violations of the gonads can be congenital, manifest with age, or occur due to banal inflammation. The main pathologies of the testicles are cryptorchidism (the testicles do not descend into the scrotum), dropsy, inflammation (orchitis), etc. The most common disease. With age, adenoma often develops - a benign tumor that can develop into cancer. Inflammatory disease of the cooper glands is called cooperitis, this disorder is extremely rare.

Hormones of the male gonads

The secretion of the gonads includes the production of hormones and various secrets, but of all three male glands, only one organ specializes in hormones - the testicles.

The answer to the question of what are sex hormones in men and where they are synthesized is not limited to the activity of the testicles. These substances are synthesized both in the testes and in the adrenal glands, and FSH and LH, the tropic hormones of the pituitary gland, regulate their work.

All testicular hormones are grouped under the name "androgens" and are steroid hormones. These include:

• testosterone;
• androsterone;
• dihydrosterone;
• androstenediol;
• androstenedione.

It is interesting that mankind owes the discovery of testosterone to the scientific ambitions of Nazi Germany. Back in 1931, the German scientist Adolf Butenandt managed to isolate testosterone from urine - for 15 mg of the hormone, he needed more than 10 thousand liters of liquid.

After 3 years, the researcher synthesized artificial testosterone, and in 1939 they decided to give him the Nobel Prize for this. The Nazi government forbade it, deciding that the world had no right to use the scientific discoveries of Germany, but in 1949 the award nevertheless found its hero.

Hormone Functions

All androgen hormones perform a similar function - they are responsible for the reproductive function of a man and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, which begins during puberty. Each hormone also has its own specialization:

• testosterone activates muscle growth, is responsible for the formation of the genital organs, thickening of the larynx;
• dihydrosterone stimulates male-type hair growth, is responsible for the growth of prostate cells, the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skin in a teenager, recovery after exercise;
• androsterone is the main assistant of testosterone in matters of reproduction and the formation of external sexual characteristics, and is also a pheromone, attracting the opposite sex.

The lack of sex hormones (especially testosterone) can provoke male infertility, delayed sexual development, impotence, and as a result, severe depression. If the secretion of hormones was disturbed during the mother's pregnancy, this causes congenital anomalies in the boy.

An important factor in planning future offspring is not only the health of a woman, but also the proper functioning of the systems of the male body. The male reproductive system is a collection of organs responsible for procreation (reproduction).

Such a system is responsible for the following functions:

1. Production and transportation of male germ cells (spermatozoa).
2. Delivery of spermatozoa into the female reproductive system (during sexual intercourse).
3. The production of hormones responsible for the proper functioning of the male reproductive system.

The physiology of the male reproductive system is closely related to the body's urinary system.

Consider the structure and functions of the male reproductive organs (with photo).

Modern anatomy gives a complete picture of the physiology of the structure of the human reproductive system. There are many video and photographic materials, many articles and medical manuals have been written that consider the functions and structure of the reproductive system.

Male puberty occurs not much later than female puberty, and does not have such a well-defined indicator as female menstruation. Men reach full puberty, as a rule, by the age of 18, although full-fledged spermatozoa are produced by 13-14 years. Unlike the female body, male reproductive cells (gametes) continue to be produced throughout the entire period of life after the onset of puberty. Of course, it should be noted that spermatogenesis in older men is less intense, and the number and activity of produced cells may decrease. However, their ability to fertilize remains.

The reproductive system of a man consists of two types of organs of the reproductive system: external and internal.

• Outdoor:

1. Scrotum.
2. Penis (penis).

• Internal:

1. The prostate gland (prostate).
2. seminal vesicles.
3. Testicles and their appendages.
4. Seminal ducts.

Consider the structure of the male reproductive organs in more detail.

The musculoskeletal sac, inside which the testicles with appendages and the duct responsible for ejaculation, are located, is called the scrotum. The anatomy of the structure of the scrotum is quite simple: it is divided by a septum into two chambers, each of which contains one of the two gonads. The main functions are to protect the testicles and maintain the optimal temperature for the formation and development of spermatozoa (spermatogenesis). According to its structure, the scrotum consists of several layers, including skin, as well as muscle tissue that raises or lowers the testicles under certain influences (changes in ambient temperature, physiological processes - arousal, ejaculation).

The penis is the main organ responsible for urination and the delivery of seminal fluid to a woman's body. The anatomy and physiology of the penis distinguishes three main sections of the structure: the head, the base, the body itself. In the upper part there are two so-called cavernous bodies. They are parallel to each other and run from the base to the head of the penis. Under the cavernous bodies is a spongy body, it contains the urethra. All of them are covered with a dense membrane containing chambers (lacunae) that fill with blood during sexual arousal. It is the gaps that contribute to the appearance of an erection. The function of external protection of the bodies is performed by the skin, which is sufficiently elastic and capable of stretching. The endings of the spongy and cave bodies are located in the head of the penis, covered with thin skin with many nerve endings.

The external genital organs, representing the reproductive system of men, continue to grow only during maturation.

The testicles (testicles) are the most important paired organs that affect the process of sperm formation. The growth of the testicles proceeds rather slowly and accelerates only during puberty. Each of the paired organs in its structure is divided into seminal lobules, in which the seminiferous tubules are located, which take part in spermatogenesis. These tubules make up about 70 percent of their volume. Passing through the membrane, the tubules enter the epididymis, in which the ability of spermatozoa to fertilize is finally formed.

The epididymis is a narrow duct adjacent to the testicle and is responsible for the final maturation of spermatozoa, their accumulation and promotion through the genital tract. The process of spermatogenesis is carried out in this part of the male reproductive system. The length of the duct itself is about 8 m, and the movement of spermatozoa to the place of their accumulation takes about 14 days. The anatomy of the appendage consists of three main sections: tail, body and head. The head is divided into lobules, which flow into the epididymal duct and pass into the vas deferens.

The prostate gland is located in close proximity to the bladder and is palpable only through the rectum. The dimensions of the gland of a healthy man are set within certain limits: width from 3 to 5 cm, length from 2 to 4 cm, thickness from 1.5 to 2.5 cm. and prescribing the right treatment. The gland is divided into two lobes, connected by an isthmus. Through it pass the urethra, as well as the ejaculatory ducts.

The main function of the prostate gland is the production of testosterone, a hormone that directly affects the process of fertilization of the egg. In addition to the secretory function of the prostate, motor function can be distinguished: muscle tissue is involved in the release of prostate secretion during ejaculation, and is also responsible for urinary retention. Thanks to the secretion produced, the penetration of urethral infections into the upper tract of the male urinary system is blocked. With age, there is an increased risk of developing various prostate diseases that affect its physiology. As a result, the reproductive function of a man decreases.

The seminal vesicles are another paired organ of the male reproductive system, located above the prostate gland, between the walls of the rectum and bladder. The main function of the bubbles is the production of an important active substance (secret), which is part of the seminal fluid. The secret nourishes the spermatozoa, increasing their resistance to the negative effects of the external environment. This is the source of energy for gametes. The ducts of the seminal vesicles join the ducts responsible for ejaculation, and at the end form the ejaculatory duct. Violations of the physiology or diseases of the seminal vesicles can cause problems in conception, as well as complete infertility in men.

Violation of the reproductive system

According to statistics, women are much more likely to undergo preventive examinations and tests to identify problems of the reproductive system. Men, for the most part, prefer to go to doctors only in case of exacerbations of diseases or obvious violations of the physiology of the functioning of the genital organs. At the same time, the reproductive health of men and women is one of the most important indicators of reproduction. During the planning period for pregnancy, couples often face problems with conception caused by a malfunction of the male genitourinary system.

The main causes of violations:

• Infectious diseases.
• Failure of the prostate gland.
• Colds and inflammation.

Violation of sexual function as a consequence of the disease is quite obvious. However, there are other reasons as well. First of all, it is necessary to say about the wrong way of life: taking psychoactive substances that cause a psychedelic effect (for example, hallucinogenic mushrooms), other drugs and alcohol. In addition, congenital anomalies in the structure of organs, manifested anatomically, can become the cause.

Let us dwell on the most common diseases that affect the reproductive system.

First of all, it is worth mentioning such a disease as prostatitis. This is the most common cause of reproductive dysfunction in men. Currently, every fourth man in varying degrees suffers from inflammation of the prostate. As a rule, men aged 40 and older are at risk. However, younger men are also susceptible to the disease. The influence of the work of the gland on the physiology of the reproductive system is very high. In order to improve its functioning, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination, according to the results of which treatment will be prescribed. Self-administration of drugs without consulting a doctor can increase the risk of complications.

Another disease that affects the physiology of the reproductive system is vesiculitis. This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the seminal vesicles. A high risk of this disease exists in men suffering from chronic prostatitis. The main symptom of the disease: pain during ejaculation, in the perineum and groin, as well as general weakness. With advanced forms, treatment is carried out surgically, with early diagnosis, treatment with antibacterial drugs is possible.

As a prevention of diseases of the reproductive system, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules:

1. Quality and varied food.
2. Complex physical activity.
3. Preventive examinations of narrow specialists.
4. Regular sex life.
5. Exclusion of casual sexual relations.

Also, do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene and adherence to sleep and wakefulness. If any symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system (itching, redness, pain, cracks in the skin or swelling) appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and accurate diagnosis. It is important to remember that letting any disease take its course or self-treatment can threaten even greater violations of physiological processes. The advanced stages of some diseases can be cured only by surgical intervention, and some diseases of the reproductive system become chronic and increase the risk of complications such as infertility or impaired potency.

From the S Class Wiki

Reproductive system of a man- This is a set of organs of the male body that performs a reproductive function and is responsible for sexual reproduction. It consists of interconnected external genital and internal adnexal organs, is also associated with the endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular system of the body.

Functions of the male reproductive system

The male reproductive system performs several functions:

• production of male sex hormones (testosterone, androstenedione, androstenediol, etc.);
• the production of sperm, consisting of spermatozoa and seminal plasma;
• transport and eruption of sperm;
• sexual intercourse;
• achieving orgasm.

Also indirectly, the male reproductive system affects the entire body, ensures the normal functioning of other organs and systems, and slows down the aging process. In particular, it is closely related to the endocrine system, which also produces hormones, the urinary system, with which the male reproductive system shares common elements.

external genitalia

The male reproductive system includes 2 external genitalia, which are responsible for sexual intercourse and achieving orgasm.

The penis is the male external genital organ, which is responsible for physiological copulation and excretion of urine from the body. The male penis consists of a base, a shaft, and a glans. From above, the penis is covered with skin, which, in an unexcited state, covers the entire penis with the head. In a state of erection, the penis increases in size, exposing the head due to the movable foreskin.

The shaft of the penis consists of several parts: one spongy body and two cavernous bodies, formed mainly by collagen fibers. The head of the penis has an expanded and narrowed part. Along the entire penis passes the urethra, which goes out on the head. It expels semen and urine. The penis is innervated by the dorsal nerve and supplied with blood through the dorsal arteries. The outflow of blood from the penis occurs through the veins.

The scrotum is an outgrowth of the anterior abdominal wall, a natural sac-like formation located between the penis and anus of a man. Inside the scrotum are the testicles. From above it has a skin cover. The scrotum is divided in half by a septum. Due to the specific structure, the temperature inside the scrotum is below normal human body temperature and is approx. 34.4 °C.

Internal organs of the male reproductive system

As with women, the bulk of a man's reproductive system is inside. These are also accessory organs that perform the main part of the reproductive function.

The testicles are a paired organ of the male reproductive system, which is located inside the scrotum. The testicles, or paired male gonads, are asymmetrical and somewhat different in size, so they do not get compressed when walking or sitting. Usually the right testicle is slightly higher than the left. An appendage and a spermatic cord are attached to the testicle behind, from above they are surrounded by a whitish fibrous membrane. The testicles produce hormones, spermatozoa, and they also perform an endocrine function.

Prostate - the prostate gland, which is responsible for secretory function, is involved in erection and sperm transport. It is also a barrier to the penetration of infection into the upper urinary tract and back to the testicles. The prostate is located behind the rectum and in front of the pubic joint. It consists mainly of prostatic glands with connective tissue. The prostate produces spermine, a component of semen that gives it a smell and is involved in cellular metabolism. The prostate also produces hormones and prostate juice. The prostate is interconnected with other organs of the male reproductive system, the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland.

The epididymis is a paired organ located on the posterior surface of the male testicle. In the appendages, one of the processes of spermatogenesis occurs - maturation. Here sperm accumulates and remains until the moment of eruption. Spermatozoa grow and mature in the appendages for about 14 days, after which they can perform their direct function - to fertilize the female egg.

The seminal vesicles are a paired organ to which the seminal ducts approach. Together with the seminal ducts, the seminal vesicles form the ejaculatory ducts. The seminal vesicles carry the secretion of the seminal vesicles and perform a secretory function to nourish the spermatozoa.

The vas deferens is a paired organ with an active muscular membrane responsible for the transport of sperm. Consists of 4 parts.

The ejaculatory ducts carry semen into the urethra for ejaculation.

The urethra is an integral part of the male reproductive system and the genitourinary system. Passes along the penis and is displayed on the head out through the gap. Has a length of approximately 20 cm.

Cooper's or bulbourethral glands - perform an exocrine function. Located in the muscle tissue of the perineum, consist of lobar parts. The size of each gland does not exceed a pea. They produce a viscous mucous secret, which gives the sperm a peculiar taste and contributes to the unimpeded transportation of sperm through the urethra. This secret contains alkaline enzymes that neutralize urine residues in the urethra.

Formation and development

The organs of the male reproductive system begin to form in the prenatal period. The internal genital organs are laid already at 3-4 weeks of embryo development, the external organs begin to form at 6-7 weeks. From the 7th week the gonad begins to form testicles, from the 9th week the body of the embryo already produces a small amount of testosterone. From the 8th to the 29th week, the penis and scrotum return to their natural shape, the testicles descend into the scrotum until the 40th week.

From birth to 7 years, the peripubertal period lasts, during which there is no intensive development. From 8 to 16 years, the period of active development of the male reproductive system lasts. During puberty, the external and internal genital organs increase in size, and intensive production of male hormones begins. Brain neurotransmitters, endogenous opiates, hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and steroid sex hormones also play an important role in the formation of the reproductive function of a man and the regulation of the system. The complex relationship of the genitourinary, endocrine and central nervous systems by the end of puberty forms the reproductive system and the function of a man.

The reproductive system of a man works quite stably. Males do not have any monthly cycle with a surge in hormone production. The decline of reproductive function also occurs more smoothly in a man, andropause is less noticeable and is not so painful.

The extinction of the functions of the male reproductive system and andropause

The reproductive function of a man does not have such a close relationship with age, as it happens in women. After 30, a man may experience some decrease in libido, usually associated not with the extinction of reproductive function, but with psychological problems, routine in family life, stress, and bad habits. After 40, testosterone levels decrease and a physiological decrease in sexual desire begins. But some men retain the ability to produce viable sperm until they are very old. At a very advanced age, a man can conceive a child if he does not have serious illnesses, he leads a healthy lifestyle.

The main processes of the extinction of the function of the male reproductive system occur in the testicles. However, even with testicular atrophy and a decrease in its mass, the male body continues to produce enough testosterone to maintain sexual function.

Most of the problems with men's health are associated with pathologies, which include

The male reproductive system is a fragile and very complex mechanism, the correct operation of which is influenced by many factors. It consists of the following organs:

• two testicles;
• epididymis;
• seminal ducts.

The testicles of a man are paired endocrine glands that are responsible for the production of the male sex hormone. They are located in the scrotum and reach a length of 4-5 cm each. In parallel with the production of testosterone in the testicles, the maturation and development of male germ cells occurs -. From the testicles, the sperm migrate to the epididymis.

Each of the testicles has its own appendage, which is a long spiral tube into which spermatozoa from the testicle enter for the last stage of maturation. The appendages play the role of a so-called "storage chamber" for spermatozoa ready for fertilization until ejaculation, when the sperm enters the vas deferens.

The vas deferens connects the urethra with the epididymis, passing through which fully mature sperm cells are saturated with juice, which is necessary to maintain the life of the sperm after they leave the male genital tract through the urethra.

The process of production and maturation of spermatozoa - spermatogenesis - begins in a man from the moment of the onset of puberty and does not stop until the last days of his life. Spermatogenesis is regulated by various hormones, the production and ratio of which is controlled by the calving of the brain. As in women, the male pituitary gland produces luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) hormones, each of which performs its own unique function in regulating the process of spermatogenesis.

Stimulates the production of the male sex hormone testosterone, due to which new male germ cells are formed. In addition, male puberty, muscle mass gain, male pattern hair growth and much more depend on testosterone. in turn, is responsible for the further maturation of spermatozoa and the production of healthy sperm by activating other hormones.

The process of formation, growth and full maturation of one sperm cell takes 72 days (during ejaculation, several million sperm cells are released). The first 50 days are allotted for growth in the testicles, then the spermatozoa begin to slowly move to the epididymis, where they fully mature, in addition, they have the ability to move in the epididymis. During ejaculation after intercourse, spermatozoa pass from the appendages through the seminiferous tubules and urethra.

When the seminal fluid enters the woman, the spermatozoa begin to actively move, trying to find the right way to the egg. And although only one male germ cell is needed for fertilization, the huge amount of sperm that ends up in the female genital tract is justified. The woman's vagina has an acidic environment necessary for natural protection against bacteria. But it can also have a negative effect on spermatozoa, so while one part of the sperm goes to neutralize the acidic environment, the other can move through the cervix and enter the uterus, where the environment is more favorable.

Due to the fact that there are many cavities and convolutions in the female reproductive system, many spermatozoa never find the egg, which is located in one of the fallopian tubes. From the uterus, the remaining - the strongest and most enduring - spermatozoa are sent to the fallopian tubes, where the fertilization of the egg by one of them should occur.

The male reproductive organs are divided into external and internal. External include the penis and scrotum. To the internal - the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, testicles, epididymis, spermatic cord, which includes venous and arterial vessels, the vas deferens, a network of muscles that regulate the position of the testicles in the scrotum.

external genitalia

In the penis, the head, body and root are distinguished. The penis consists of two cavernous bodies and a spongy body of the urethra. In front, the spongy body of the urethra forms a head into which the pointed ends of the cavernous bodies of the penis are wedged.

The root is represented by two legs, which are fused with the pubic and ischial bones and are motionless.

The cavernous bodies of the penis consist of multiple interconnected cavities resembling a sponge, the filling of which with blood is the main factor in the erection of the penis.

The spongy body of the urethra is longer and thinner than the cavernous bodies of the penis, and, in fact, is a tube, i.e. urethra, which starts from the external opening of the urethra, located at the top of the head, and ends with the bladder.

In turn, the urethra is divided into anterior and posterior. The anterior part is the spongy part of the canal, and the posterior part is the rest, which passes through the prostate gland and the pelvic diaphragm, forming the external and internal sphincter of the bladder. Each cavernous body is surrounded by a protein membrane, and all together are covered with a common fascia, which is loosely connected to the skin of the penis. The skin at the base of the head forms the foreskin. Between the head and the foreskin, a preputial sac is formed, open in front. The head of the penis is equipped with a large number of sensitive nerve endings, the irritation of which causes a special feeling of voluptuousness.

The scrotum is a sac-like organ consisting of several layers, in which the testicles with appendages, the spermatic cord with its elements are located. The skin of the scrotum contains a large amount of smooth muscle, which is involved in the regulation of the position of the testicles, depending on the ambient temperature. The scrotum is supplied with a large network of blood vessels that are involved in the regulation of the temperature of the scrotum and, consequently, the testicles.

Internal sex organs

The testicle of an adult male has an oblong shape, on the back surface of which an appendage is located. The testis is covered with a dense connective tissue membrane called the albuginea. The testicle and epididymis are intensively supplied with blood due to the abundant arterial network. The veins are pampiniform plexuses, which flow into the inferior vena cava on the right, and into the renal vein on the left.

The testicle performs a dual function - regenerative (sperm production) and intrasecretory, which consists in the production of sex hormone - which contributes to the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and sexual desire. The testis is filled with convoluted and straight tubules. Spermatogenic function is provided by the epithelium of the convoluted tubules. The tubules are lined with two kinds of cells - large, which are called Sertoli cells, and small, germinal, from which spermatozoa are formed. There is another type of cell, the so-called Leydig cells, which produce the hormone testosterone.

The process of producing mature spermatozoa is gradual. multistage transformations of partially specialized stem cells into highly specialized germ cells - spermatozoa. After the testicle, the spermatozoa enter the epididymis, where they mature and acquire the qualities necessary for further movement in the female genital organs and fertilization of the egg.

The epididymis is oblong in shape and located on the posterior surface of the testis. The appendage is a reservoir for spermatozoa, where they undergo further morphological, biochemical and physiological development.

Spermatozoa that have passed through the epididymis have more intense mobility and viability, greater fertilizing ability.

The prostate gland is a glandular organ located under the bladder and covers the urethra from all sides. The secret of the prostate has a complex biochemical composition and is a necessary component in. It enters directly into the posterior urethra through the excretory ducts located on both sides of the seminal tubercle, where it mixes with spermatozoa. The secret of the prostate contains a number of substances necessary for the normal functioning of spermatozoa, such as citric acid, spermine, fructose, fibrinolysin, fibrogenase, acid phosphatase. The prostate gland is an important organ, due to which there is a close relationship between the prostate and the testicles. When castration occurs, atrophy or complete resorption of the prostate occurs, when the prostate is removed, atrophy of the testicles occurs.

The seminal vesicles, a paired organ located above the prostate gland, are a glandular organ. The secret of the seminal vesicles, together with the secret of the prostate gland, make up most of the seminal fluid.

The most important component of seminal vesicle secretion is fructose, the quantitative content of which depends on nutrition, blood sugar, vitamin B and is regulated by testosterone. Thus, a low content of fructose in the ejaculate allows an early diagnosis of hormonal deficiency. A lack of fructose can lead to a decrease in sperm motility. The seminal vesicles are not a reservoir for spermatozoa, although they are found in the secretion of the vesicles.

Thus, it is safe to say that the testicles and prostate are the organs that take the most active part in spermatogenesis. But without the participation of other organs of internal secretion in this complex process, spermatogenesis is not feasible.

It is the result of dysfunction in the work of both the male genital organs and the system regulating them. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is of the greatest importance in the functions of the genital organs. In addition to stimulating the function of the testicles, it produces important hormones that affect the development of the body, the function of the thyroid gland, and the adrenal glands.

Male reproductive organs - structure and function was last modified: October 10th, 2017 by Maria Saletskaya