What is the name of the male reproductive organ?
The male reproductive organs are composed of many parts and can be divided into internal and external reproductive organs. The external reproductive organs include the scrotum and penis, while the internal reproductive organs include the testes, vas deferens, and other structures. The male reproductive organ commonly referred to in daily conversations is generally the penis.
1. The male reproductive organs consist of two main parts: internal and external reproductive organs. The external reproductive organs include the scrotum and penis, while the internal reproductive organs include reproductive glands (testes), ejaculatory ducts (epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra), as well as accessory glands, seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. The male reproductive organs begin to develop during puberty and acquire reproductive functions upon maturity.
2. The penis, as part of the external reproductive organs, serves as the male organ for sexual intercourse, urination, and ejaculation. It is composed of three long, cylindrical spongy bodies surrounded by fascia and skin. The skin of the penis is thin and soft, and the folds of skin covering the glans penis are called the foreskin. The size of the penis can vary depending on ethnicity and individual differences. In general, the length of the penis in mature Asian males is greater than 4 centimeters in a flaccid state and greater than 7 centimeters when erect.
The scrotum is a sac-like structure that contains the testes, epididymis, spermatic cord, and the scrotal segment of the vas deferens. The skin of the scrotum is thin and rich in sweat glands and sebaceous glands. The contraction and relaxation of the scrotum regulate its temperature, keeping the testes at around 35°C (about 1.5-2.5°C lower than the intra-abdominal temperature), which is conducive to sperm production and development.
3. The testes are the primary sexual organs of males, responsible for sperm production and secretion of male hormones. In adults, the testes are approximately 4.5cm long, 2.5-3.5cm wide, and 2-3cm thick, weighing about 20-30g. The size of the testes can vary depending on age and ethnicity.
The epididymis is located on the posterior-medial side of the testes and is divided into three parts: head, body, and tail. Sperm enter the epididymis from the testes, where they undergo further maturation and are stored. The vas deferens are two thin, round tubes, approximately 40cm long, connecting the tail of the epididymis proximally and the ejaculatory duct distally. They serve as the passageway for sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
The seminal vesicles not only store semen but also secrete fluids that provide energy for sperm and stabilize and protect them. The alkaline secretions of the seminal vesicles ensure the survival and activity of sperm in the female reproductive tract. The prostate is a secretory gland that produces secretions that protect the function and activity of sperm and participate in the liquefaction of semen, allowing viscous semen to gradually liquefy within the female reproductive tract and facilitate the smooth entry of sperm into the female reproductive tract.
The bulbourethral glands secrete a viscous, transparent, and cooling protein during sexual excitement, approaching orgasm. This secretion lubricates the urethra and is also a component of semen during ejaculation.
