Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Trainer document
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND FUNCTIONS/PROCESSES
• Penis - External male organ through which semen or urine leaves the body.
During sexual intercourse it deposits semen in the female body
• Urethra - a thin, long tube passing through the penis. It conducts semen or
urine out of the male body.
• Urethral (or urinary) opening – Spot from which a man urinates or ejaculates
semen.
• Scrotum –The pouch located behind the penis, which contains the testes,
provides protection to the testes and controls the temperature necessary for
sperm production and survival.
• Testicles (or testes) (2) – The round male reproductive glands lying in the
scrotum, which produce and store sperm from puberty onward. They also
produce the male sex hormone responsible for male characteristics.
• Epididymis (2) – Organs where sperm mature after they are produced in the
testicles.
• Vas deferens (2) - Thin, long tubes that transport sperm from each epididymis
to the urethra.
• Seminal Vesicles (2) - Sac-like structures lying behind the urinary bladder.
They secrete a thick milky fluid that provides energy for sperm and forms part
of the semen.
• Prostrate Gland - A gland located in the male pelvis, which secretes a thick
milky fluid that enables the sperm to swim and become part of the semen.
• Erection of Penis - In response to thoughts, fantasies, temperature, touch or
sexual stimulation, the penis fills with blood and becomes hard and erect for
sexual intercourse.
• Ejaculation – The forceful release of semen from the penis after sexual
excitement. This may occur at night and is commonly called a ‘wet dream’.
From puberty on, sperm are continuously produced in the testicles (or testes), which
are located inside the scrotum. As the sperm mature, they move into the epididymis,
where they remain to mature for about two weeks. The sperm then leave the epididymis
and enter the vas deferens. These tubes pass through the seminal vesicles and the
prostate gland, which releases fluids that mix with the sperm to make semen. During
ejaculation, the semen travels through the penis and out of the body by way of the
urethra, the same tube that carries urine. The urethral (or urinary) opening is the
spot from which a man urinates or ejaculates.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 3: Human Reproduction