VMBO Year 3 · Reproduction and sexuality · Section 2.1
The male reproductive system
What belongs to the male reproductive system?
The male reproductive system includes internal and external sex organs. The penis and scrotum are external. Inside the scrotum are the testes, which produce millions of sperm cells each day after puberty. Sperm mature and are stored temporarily in the epididymides.
What happens during an erection and ejaculation?
The penis contains erectile tissue, which fills with blood during sexual arousal. This causes an erection, making the penis firm. Its sensitive tip is the glans, which is covered and protected by the foreskin in an uncircumcised penis.
During ejaculation, sperm leave the body through the following route.
- The sperm ducts carry sperm from the epididymides towards the urethra near the prostate.
- The seminal vesicles add nutrient-rich fluid.
- The prostate gland also adds fluid. Sperm mixed with these fluids form semen.
- Semen passes out through the urethra inside the penis.
Before ejaculation, a small amount of pre-ejaculate may be released. It lubricates the urethra and helps reduce acidity left by urine. It may contain sperm, so pregnancy can occur even without ejaculation in the vagina. Sperm that are not ejaculated are eventually broken down and reabsorbed.
The bladder and hygiene
The urinary bladder, above the prostate, stores urine. Urine and semen use the same urethra but normally do not pass through it at the same time.
Skin cells and secretions can collect under the foreskin. During washing, a movable foreskin can be gently drawn back and the glans rinsed with water. Never force the foreskin back. Soap can irritate this sensitive area.
Glossary
- Scrotum
- The pouch of skin containing the testes and epididymides.
- Epididymides
- Structures where sperm mature and are stored temporarily; singular: epididymis.
- Glans
- The sensitive tip of the penis.
- Penis
- An external male sex organ used for passing urine and delivering semen.
- Prostate gland
- A gland adding fluid to semen that helps support sperm function.
- Testes
- Organs in the scrotum producing sperm and the hormone testosterone after puberty.
- Urethra
- The tube carrying urine or semen out through the penis.
- Urinary bladder
- The organ storing urine before it leaves the body.
- Foreskin
- A fold of skin covering and protecting the glans of an uncircumcised penis.
- Testicles
- Another name for the testes, the organs producing sperm.
- Seminal vesicles
- Glands adding nutrient-rich fluid to semen.
- Sperm ducts
- Tubes carrying sperm from the epididymides towards the urethra.
- Erectile tissue
- Tissue that fills with blood to produce an erection.