Medical diagram of male genitalia. Male Genital Anatomy: Comprehensive Guide to Structure and Function

14.08.202312.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the key components of male genital anatomy. How does the male reproductive system function. What common conditions affect male genital health. How can men maintain optimal reproductive health.

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Overview of Male Genital Anatomy

The male genital system consists of both external and internal organs that work together for reproduction and urination. Understanding this complex anatomy is crucial for healthcare providers and individuals alike.

External Genitalia

The external male genitalia include:

Penis: The primary male sex organ used for urination and sexual intercourse
Scrotum: A pouch-like structure that holds and protects the testicles
Testicles (testes): Paired oval-shaped glands that produce sperm and testosterone

Internal Genitalia

The internal male reproductive organs comprise:

Epididymis: A coiled tube behind each testicle that stores and transports sperm
Vas deferens: Tubes that carry sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
Seminal vesicles: Glands that produce a fluid component of semen
Prostate gland: Produces prostatic fluid, a major component of semen
Bulbourethral glands: Small glands that secrete a clear fluid to lubricate the urethra

Structure and Function of the Penis

The penis is a remarkable organ with multiple functions. Its primary roles include sexual intercourse and urination. But how exactly does it work?

Anatomical Components

The penis consists of three main parts:

Root: The attached portion of the penis, located inside the body
Body (shaft): The visible, external portion of the penis
Glans: The sensitive tip of the penis, covered by the foreskin in uncircumcised men

Erectile Function

Erections occur when blood flow to the penis increases, filling specialized spongy tissues called the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum. This process is controlled by a complex interplay of psychological, neurological, and vascular factors.

Do erections always indicate sexual arousal? Not necessarily. Nocturnal erections and morning erections are normal physiological occurrences unrelated to sexual stimulation.

The Role of Testicles in Male Reproduction

Testicles, or testes, are essential for male reproductive health and hormone balance. These small organs pack a powerful punch in terms of their physiological importance.

Sperm Production

The primary function of testicles is spermatogenesis – the production of sperm cells. This process occurs in the seminiferous tubules, which make up about 80% of testicular mass. Interestingly, sperm production requires a temperature slightly lower than normal body temperature, which is why the testicles are located outside the body in the scrotum.

Hormone Secretion

Testicles also serve as endocrine glands, producing and secreting testosterone. This vital hormone plays a crucial role in:

Development of male secondary sexual characteristics
Maintaining muscle mass and bone density
Regulating sex drive and erectile function
Influencing mood and cognitive function

How much testosterone do healthy adult males produce daily? On average, men produce about 6-8 mg of testosterone per day, with levels typically highest in the morning and lowest in the evening.

The Prostate Gland: More Than Just a Reproductive Organ

Often overlooked, the prostate gland plays a vital role in male reproductive health and urinary function. This walnut-sized organ surrounds the urethra just below the bladder.

Functions of the Prostate

The prostate serves several important functions:

Produces prostatic fluid, a major component of semen
Contains smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation
Helps control urine flow through the urethra

Prostate Health Concerns

As men age, the prostate can become susceptible to various health issues. Common prostate problems include:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate
Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland
Prostate cancer: The second most common cancer in men worldwide

Can prostate problems affect sexual function? Yes, prostate issues can impact erectile function and ejaculation. For instance, BPH can cause difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, while treatments for prostate cancer may lead to temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction.

The Intricate Network of Male Reproductive Ducts

The male reproductive system features a complex network of ducts that transport sperm and other fluids. Understanding this intricate system is crucial for diagnosing and treating various reproductive issues.

Epididymis and Vas Deferens

The epididymis is a tightly coiled tube located at the back of each testicle. It serves as a storage and maturation site for sperm cells. From the epididymis, mature sperm travel through the vas deferens, a muscular tube that extends from the lower portion of the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Ejaculatory Ducts and Urethra

The ejaculatory ducts are formed by the union of the vas deferens and the ducts from the seminal vesicles. These short ducts pass through the prostate gland and empty into the urethra. The urethra serves a dual purpose in males, providing a pathway for both urine and semen.

How long does sperm typically survive in the female reproductive tract? Sperm can survive for up to 5 days in the female reproductive system under optimal conditions, although the average lifespan is 2-3 days.

Common Conditions Affecting Male Genital Health

While the male reproductive system is robust, it can be affected by various conditions. Awareness of these issues is crucial for early detection and treatment.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, affects millions of men worldwide. Causes can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgical interventions.

Testicular Disorders

Several conditions can affect testicular health:

Varicocele: Enlargement of veins within the scrotum
Hydrocele: Fluid buildup around a testicle
Testicular torsion: Twisting of the spermatic cord, requiring immediate medical attention
Testicular cancer: Most common in young men, but highly treatable if caught early

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs can significantly impact male genital health. Common STIs affecting men include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

How often should men be screened for STIs? Sexually active men should be tested at least once a year, or more frequently if they have multiple partners or engage in high-risk sexual behaviors.

Maintaining Optimal Male Reproductive Health

Preserving male genital health requires a combination of lifestyle choices, regular check-ups, and awareness. By taking proactive steps, men can significantly reduce their risk of reproductive health issues.

Lifestyle Factors

Several lifestyle choices can impact male reproductive health:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Regular exercise
Balanced diet rich in antioxidants
Limiting alcohol consumption
Avoiding tobacco use
Managing stress

Regular Health Screenings

Routine check-ups are essential for early detection and treatment of potential issues. Important screenings include:

Annual physical exams
Testicular self-exams
Prostate cancer screenings (usually starting at age 50, or earlier for high-risk individuals)
STI testing

Safe Sexual Practices

Practicing safe sex is crucial for maintaining genital health. This includes:

Using condoms consistently and correctly
Limiting sexual partners
Open communication with sexual partners about STI status and testing
Considering vaccination against HPV

How effective are condoms in preventing STIs? When used correctly and consistently, condoms are highly effective in preventing the transmission of many STIs, reducing the risk by up to 98% for some infections.

Advances in Male Reproductive Medicine

The field of male reproductive medicine has seen significant advancements in recent years, offering new hope for men facing fertility issues or other reproductive health challenges.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies

For men struggling with infertility, several assisted reproductive technologies are available:

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Direct injection of a single sperm into an egg
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): Surgical retrieval of sperm from the testicle
Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): Retrieval of sperm from the epididymis

Hormone Therapies

Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial for men with low testosterone levels. This may involve:

Testosterone gels or patches
Injectable testosterone
Subcutaneous testosterone pellets

Genetic Testing and Counseling

Advances in genetic testing have allowed for better understanding and management of inherited conditions affecting male fertility. Genetic counseling can help couples make informed decisions about family planning.

What percentage of male infertility cases have a genetic component? It’s estimated that genetic factors contribute to about 15-30% of male infertility cases, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in some situations.

Understanding male genital anatomy and function is crucial for overall health and well-being. From the external structures visible to the naked eye to the intricate internal organs working tirelessly behind the scenes, each component plays a vital role in reproduction and urinary function. By staying informed about potential health issues, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and seeking regular medical care, men can maintain optimal reproductive health throughout their lives. As medical science continues to advance, new treatments and technologies offer hope for those facing reproductive challenges, ensuring that men have the best possible chance of achieving their family planning goals and maintaining a high quality of life.

Male Genital Organs Laminated Anatomy Chart

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The Male Genital Organs chart has over a dozen incredibly detailed illustrations included on it, encapsulating several 3D views, pathologies and functions of the male genital organs. Some of the diagrams included are the inner and outer genital structure, lateral views, the process of ejaculation, muscles, lymphatic drainage, and sexual function. This chart is higher education quality and would be perfect in a doctor’s office as well. Comes laminated, is 27.55 x 39.37 inches in dimension and has two brass grommets in the top corners.

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Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Male Genitourinary Tract – StatPearls

Introduction

The male genitourinary tract is responsible for the excretion of both urine, produced by the kidney, and semen, produced from the sperm from the testes and the various accessory glands. The urethra serves as the final path of excretion of both urine and semen from the body.

Urine is the waste product of filtered blood that leaves the kidney via the collecting system. From the renal collecting system, urine is transported through the ureters and stored in the urinary bladder for elimination through the urethra.

Sperm is produced in the testes and undergoes maturation in the epididymis. During ejaculation, sperm moves through the epididymis to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is the duct for transporting sperm from the epididymis. It is in the scrotal sac and passes through the inguinal canal into the abdominopelvic cavity. As the vas deferens course to the posterior portion of the prostate, they join the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicle ducts add seminal fluid to the ejaculate. The area of convergence of the seminal vesicles and vas deferens form the ejaculatory ducts.

The ejaculatory ducts enter the prostate and empty into the prostatic urethra. Within the prostatic urethra, additional secretions from the prostate gland itself are added to the seminal fluid. The final addition of ejaculatory fluid is a lubricating mucus that comes from the bulbourethral glands, located in the membranous urethra. At ejaculation, the semen leaves through the urethra.

Structure and Function

The genitourinary tract begins at the kidneys (Figure 1), a retroperitoneal organ located at T12-L3 whose primary function is to filter blood and secrete waste products as urine. Urine, produced in the glomeruli and modified in the tubules, eventually travels to the hilum of the kidney, which empties into the ureters. The ureters are 25 to 30 cm long muscular ducts that transport which urine to the bladder via peristaltic contractions. They travel down into the pelvis, crossing anteriorly to the common iliac artery (Figure 1). When the ureters reach the level of the ischial spine, they curve anteromedially to enter the bladder at an oblique angle. This angle prevents the backflow of urine by collapsing the ureters when the bladder fills.

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular organ composed of the detrusor muscle and lined with a specialized distensible epithelium urothelium (previously called the transitional epithelium). The interior of the empty bladder displays an undulating surface, except for a triangular-shaped region, the trigone, defined by the entrance of the left and right ureters and the internal urethral orifice. The trigone has stretch receptors for the sensation of bladder fullness.

The bladder is situated posterior to the pubic symphysis in the pelvic cavity. Between the bladder and the pubic bone is a potential space filled with fat called the pre-vesicle space or space of Retzius.

Sperm begins meiosis in the seminiferous tubules and travels through the rete testis, an anastomosing network located in the mediastinum testes, to the efferent ductules. The efferent ductules connect the rete testis to the epididymis, where the sperm matures. During ejaculation, mature sperm travel through the vas deferens, which ascends through the inguinal canal into the pelvic cavity, looping posterolaterally to the prostate.

The urethra consists of four segments named based on its location relative to other organs. The pre-prostatic portion of the urethra is between the prostate and the bladder. The prostatic urethra runs through the prostate. The membranous urethra is located in the deep perineal pouch, along with the bulbourethral gland and external urethral sphincter. Finally, the spongy urethra, surrounded by the corpus spongiosum muscle of the penis, is the last segment reached before expelling the fluid via the urinary meatus.

The prostate, a walnut-sized structure located between the bladder and penis, secretes an alkaline solution containing nutrients to mix with the incoming sperm and seminal fluid.

The internal urethral orifice has a smooth muscle sphincter, the internal urethral sphincter, that tonically contracts via the action of the sympathetic nervous system to control continence. [1] Passage through the membranous urethra, located in the deep perineal pouch, is regulated by the external urethral sphincter, which controls the voluntary opening of the membranous urethra by the pudendal nerve from S2-S4.[2] In addition to preventing the outflow of urine from the bladder, the internal urethra sphincter also serves to prevent the backflow of incoming semen from the prostatic urethra into the bladder.

Embryology

The urinary and genital tract originates initially from the intermediate mesoderm, which differentiates into the urogenital ridge and further differentiates into the nephrogenic and gonadal cords, respectively.

The nephrogenic cord develops into the pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros. Most of the pronephros degenerates. The mesonephric duct forms the ureteric bud, which branches to form the major tracts of the kidneys, including the collecting ducts and the ureter. The metanephros forms the bulk of the kidney, such as the glomerulus.[3] As the kidney develops, it ascends from S1-S2 to T12-L3 while rotating 90 degrees so that the hilum, which initially faces ventrally, face medially. The cloaca is an endodermal lined structure that divides into the urogenital sinus, which forms the bladder while the trigone forms from Wolffian ducts.[4]

Until 4th week of the development, the gonad is undifferentiated. Male or female differentiation does not start until the seventh week of gestation.[5] The presence of the Y chromosome, specifically of an area called the testes determining factor (SRY) signals to cause the formation of the testes from the undifferentiated gonads. The Leydig cells within the developing testes secrete testosterone to support the maintenance of the male embryological ducts, the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts).[6]

Additionally, the androgens produced by the Leydig cells are responsible for the development of the male external genitals. Also, within the male gonad are Sertoli cells, which secrete anti-Mullerian hormone to inhibit the development of the paramesonephric ducts (Mullerian ducts), the pathway for female development. The mesonephric duct forms the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal glands. [7]

The mesonephric ducts also give rise to the ureteric bud and trigone of the bladder in both sexes. The ureters and collecting system of the kidney develope from the ureteric bud. The prostate and urethra are both formed from the urogenital sinus. The primordial phallus forms from the genital tubercle in the cranial end of the cloacal membrane. At around 25 to 26 weeks of development, the testicles descend transabdominally, through the inguinal canal, into the scrotum guided by the gubernaculum. The gubernaculum is the genito-inguinal ligament that develops in the seventh week of mesenchymal origin.[8]

Blood Supply and Lymphatics

The proximal portion of the genitourinary tract, consisting of both kidneys and upper ureters, is supplied by the renal arteries, which are branches of the abdominal aorta, located at the L1-L4 vertebrate. The majority of the distal genitourinary tract, including the distal ureters, bladder, and urethra, receives vascular supply via the superior and inferior vesical arteries, which are branches of the internal iliac artery. [9] The superior and inferior vesical arteries also supply the vas deferens and anastomose with the testicular artery.

The testes and epididymis arterial supply, venous, and lymphatic drainage reflect the path of descent of the gonad. As the testes descend through the spermatic cord, the relevant artery, veins, and lymphatics follow the testes into the scrotum. The lymphatics of the pelvic organs derive their names from their associated blood vessels. The four primary pelvic lymph nodes are located adjacent to the pelvis, consisting of the external iliac, internal iliac, sacral, and common iliac lymph nodes.[10] The external portion of the genitals drains to the superficial inguinal nodes while the internal genital organs drain to the lumbar and paraaortic nodes.

Nerves

Parasympathetic stimulation on the urinary tract causes relaxation of internal sphincters of the bladder while contracting the detrusor muscle, allowing urination. Conversely, sympathetic stimulation of the urinary tract contracts the internal sphincters of the bladder while relaxing the detrusor muscle, preventing urination. Ureters receive sympathetic innervation from T10 to L2 and parasympathetic innervation from S2 to S4.[11]

The pelvic region is innervated by the sacral and coccygeal spinal nerves that lie extraperitoneally against the posterolateral wall.[12] Parasympathetic stimulation of the genital system relaxes the smooth muscle of the vasculature of the penis allowing the cavernous erectile tissues to fill blood (tumescence). Sympathetic stimulation causes emission, ejaculation, and vasoconstriction.[13]

Emission is the initial phase of ejaculation where the internal urethral sphincter closes while the prostatic urethra is filled with secretions from the seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostatic, and Cowper’s glands.[14] The prostate receives sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation from the inferior hypogastric plexus. The prostatic plexuses innervate the corpus cavernosum of the penis and seminal vesicles.

Physiologic Variants

Pelvic kidney refers to inappropriate kidney ascent during week six to eight of development. As a result, the kidney remains in the pelvis instead of the abdomen. Because pelvic kidney rarely presents with symptoms, proper imagining must be performed prior to surgery in the pelvic area to rule out this anomaly. Pelvic kidney will also present with other anatomical variations in the vasculature that must merit consideration.[15]

Surgical Considerations

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is an effective procedure to treat testicular cancer as it is usually the first lymph node testicular cancer spreads. However, surgical complications of RPLND make it a debatable treatment compared to chemotherapy. RPLND results in 30 to 36% of cases developing retrograde ejaculation, causing semen enters the bladder [16].

Cystectomy and their associated lymph node removal in bladder cancer also pose significant complications, ranging from 30 to 64% due to the complex anatomy of this region. Researchers observed highly trained surgeons in a 12 lymph node dissection, and only 73% of surgeons successfully dissected all 12 lymph nodes. [17] Successful dissections showed a 30% improvement in recurrence.

Clinical Significance

There are several common clinical pathologies related to the genitourinary tract:

Benign prostate hyperplasia, BPH, is a common condition acquired with aging in men. BPH is the enlargement of the prostate, more specifically the growth of smooth muscle and epithelial cells due to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, causing narrowing of the bladder outlet. BPH presents with symptoms such as urgency and nocturia.[18] Treatment often includes 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital defect where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum. Although the cause of cryptorchidism remains unclear, it appears that testicular descent fails during the two hormonally controlled stages of gestation at 8 to 15 weeks and 25 to 35 weeks.[19] Cryptorchidism increases the risk of testicular cancer by three to four-fold and causes sub-fertility due to increased testes temperature in the abdomen compared to the scrotum. The primary treatment for cryptorchidism is a surgical procedure called orchidopexy that is usually performed before one year of age to relocate the testes.[19]
Hypospadias is a congenital defect that results in a ventral urethral opening on the penis other than the tip. Researchers believe it to be the result of both environmental and genetic factors. The severity of hypospadias depends on the location of the urinary meatus. Anterior hypospadias (70% prevalence) is generally a minor condition where the urinary meatus exits from either glandular or sub-coronal portion of the penis. Posterior and penile hypospadias (30% prevalence) are far more problematic. Hypospadias usually needs to be corrected surgically as it can interfere with both urinary and sexual functions.[20]
Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra due to bacterial infections such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.[21] It is the most frequently reported genitourinary complaint in sexually active men under the age of 50, with around 2. 8 million cases annually in the United States. Discharge and dysuria are the two most commonly reported symptoms in urethritis at 61% and 50%, respectively.[21] Antibiotic therapy usually resolves urethritis.

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Figure

Figure 1: Anatomy of the Male Genitourinary Tract in relation with de pelvic bones. Contributed by Franco L. De Cicco, MD

References

1.: Abelson B, Sun D, Que L, Nebel RA, Baker D, Popiel P, Amundsen CL, Chai T, Close C, DiSanto M, Fraser MO, Kielb SJ, Kuchel G, Mueller ER, Palmer MH, Parker-Autry C, Wolfe AJ, Damaser MS. Sex differences in lower urinary tract biology and physiology. Biol Sex Differ. 2018 Oct 22;9(1):45. [PMC free article: PMC6196569] [PubMed: 30343668]
2.: Jung J, Ahn HK, Huh Y. Clinical and functional anatomy of the urethral sphincter. Int Neurourol J. 2012 Sep;16(3):102-6. [PMC free article: PMC3469827] [PubMed: 23094214]
3.: Little MH, Kumar SV, Forbes T. Recapitulating kidney development: Progress and challenges. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2019 Jul;91:153-168. [PMC free article: PMC6426693] [PubMed: 30184476]
4.: Tanaka ST, Ishii K, Demarco RT, Pope JC, Brock JW, Hayward SW. Endodermal origin of bladder trigone inferred from mesenchymal-epithelial interaction. J Urol. 2010 Jan;183(1):386-91. [PMC free article: PMC2794964] [PubMed: 19914648]
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6.: Joseph A, Yao H, Hinton BT. Development and morphogenesis of the Wolffian/epididymal duct, more twists and turns. Dev Biol. 2009 Jan 01;325(1):6-14. [PMC free article: PMC2639655] [PubMed: 18992735]
7.: Archambeault DR, Tomaszewski J, Joseph A, Hinton BT, Yao HH. Epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk in Wolffian duct and fetal testis cord development. Genesis. 2009 Jan;47(1):40-8. [PMC free article: PMC2877590] [PubMed: 18979542]
8.: Hutson JM, Nation T, Balic A, Southwell BR. The role of the gubernaculum in the descent and undescent of the testis. Ther Adv Urol. 2009 Jun;1(2):115-21. [PMC free article: PMC3126055] [PubMed: 21789060]
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10.: Li X, Yin Y, Sheng X, Han X, Sun L, Lu C, Wang X. Distribution pattern of lymph node metastases and its implication in individualized radiotherapeutic clinical target volume delineation of regional lymph nodes in patients with stage IA to IIA cervical cancer. Radiat Oncol. 2015 Feb 15;10:40. [PMC free article: PMC4340863] [PubMed: 25886535]
11.: Campi R, Minervini A, Mari A, Hatzichristodoulou G, Sessa F, Lapini A, Sessa M, Gschwend JE, Serni S, Roscigno M, Carini M. Anatomical templates of lymph node dissection for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2017 Mar;17(3):235-246. [PubMed: 28103449]
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17.: Park JC, Citrin DE, Agarwal PK, Apolo AB. Multimodal management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Curr Probl Cancer. 2014 May-Jun;38(3):80-108. [PMC free article: PMC4190161] [PubMed: 25087173]
18.: Lokeshwar SD, Harper BT, Webb E, Jordan A, Dykes TA, Neal DE, Terris MK, Klaassen Z. Epidemiology and treatment modalities for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Transl Androl Urol. 2019 Oct;8(5):529-539. [PMC free article: PMC6842780] [PubMed: 31807429]
19.: Gurney JK, McGlynn KA, Stanley J, Merriman T, Signal V, Shaw C, Edwards R, Richiardi L, Hutson J, Sarfati D. Risk factors for cryptorchidism. Nat Rev Urol. 2017 Sep;14(9):534-548. [PMC free article: PMC5815831] [PubMed: 28654092]
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: Disclosure: Eric Wu declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
: Disclosure: Franco De Cicco declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

The male reproductive system and its three main tasks

Formation of spermatozoa in the testes (seniferous tubules). In the process of one ejaculation, 30-500 million spermatozoa come out.
Evacuation of seminal fluid from the male genital organs and its delivery to the female.
Testosterone production.

0005 is the process of development of male germ cells (spermatozoa) under the influence of hormones. It occurs in the male gonads, which are called the testes, in the seminiferous tubules.

Spermatogenesis consists of 4 stages:

Reproduction
Growth
Maturation
Formation

Each stage takes about 16 days.

In this process, under the influence of hormones from immature (so-called stem) cells, through growth and division, male germ cells – spermatozoa are formed.

The cell is gradually changing, stretching, growing, dividing. As a result, the nucleus turns into the head of the spermatozoon, and the cytoplasm and cell membrane become its body and tail.

All nutrition – oxygen, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and other useful substances – without fail comes to maturing spermatozoa through supporting Sertoli cells, and metabolic products also leave through them.

In the last phase, the spermatozoon adjoins the Sertoli cells that feed it and remains so until full development, receiving useful substances necessary for its growth and maturation.

The duration of spermatogenesis is 73-75 days.

The cells from which spermatozoa will be formed are formed in the testes during embryonic development. But the process of spermatogenesis starts only during puberty (10-14 years) and occurs in most men until the very end of life under the influence of certain hormones.

In the tissue between the seminiferous tubules there are Leydig cells that synthesize the male sex hormone testosterone. But in order for the Leydig cells to start producing it, a signal is needed from the hypothalamus (the highest regulator of the neuroendocrine system located in the brain), this happens after puberty.

Under the influence of testosterone, the pituitary gland (also a brain structure) produces follicle-stimulating hormone.

In other words, the regulation of spermatogenesis occurs according to the domino principle – the hypothalamus triggers processes in the pituitary gland, the pituitary gland – in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells.

The release of male hormones in men occurs constantly, throughout life, cyclically and regularly. Accordingly, the process of maturation of spermatozoa continues constantly and regularly. In the male body, there are always spermatozoa in different stages of maturation.

To be continued…

Nikolai Vitenko, chief doctor of the family clinic Poem Zdorovya

More in the Telegram channel ie. Diagnosis and treatment of male infertility

In recent years, reproductive dysfunction in men has become of particular importance. Currently, there is an increase in the incidence of male infertility in the world. Violation of the reproductive function in men is the cause of infertile marriages in 45% of cases, and can lead to conflicts within the family, its disintegration and personal tragedy.

Male infertility is a violation of the reproductive function in men, characterized by the absence of pregnancy in a partner within 1 year of active sexual life without contraception. At the same time, there are confirmed data on a decrease in the quality of sperm, up to the complete absence of spermatozoa in it. Most often, male infertility is the result of a qualitative and quantitative change in spermatozoa in the ejaculate due to previous inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, infectious and chronic diseases, and exposure to adverse environmental factors on the body.

Infertility in men is diagnosed and treated by a urologist-andrologist.

Andrology is a science that studies male anatomy and physiology, diseases of the male genital area and methods of their treatment. This is a narrower area of urology, which includes endocrinology, sexology and genetics. In addition, the andrologist owns elements of psychotherapy and family psychology.

When examining and examining a man, an andrologist identifies the causes of a decrease in sperm quality and eliminates them using modern methods of diagnosis and treatment. Only an individual approach to the patient, with simultaneous supervision by doctors of other specialties (in particular, an endocrinologist), helps to restore reproductive function and give birth to a long-awaited child. When identifying the cause of infertility, conservative and sometimes surgical methods of treatment are used.

First of all, it is necessary to normalize sleep and wakefulness, review your diet, eliminate adverse external factors (smoking, physical inactivity).

The conservative method includes the use of antibiotics, hormonal preparations, vitamins and microelements, other biologically active preparations, the use of physiotherapy.

If one of the spouses has inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, then the treatment of male infertility begins with the treatment of both spouses.

Medical diagram of male genitalia. Male Genital Anatomy: Comprehensive Guide to Structure and Function

Overview of Male Genital Anatomy

External Genitalia

Internal Genitalia

Structure and Function of the Penis

Anatomical Components

Erectile Function

The Role of Testicles in Male Reproduction

Sperm Production

Hormone Secretion

The Prostate Gland: More Than Just a Reproductive Organ

Functions of the Prostate

Prostate Health Concerns

The Intricate Network of Male Reproductive Ducts

Epididymis and Vas Deferens

Ejaculatory Ducts and Urethra

Common Conditions Affecting Male Genital Health

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Testicular Disorders

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Maintaining Optimal Male Reproductive Health

Lifestyle Factors

Regular Health Screenings

Safe Sexual Practices

Advances in Male Reproductive Medicine

Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Hormone Therapies

Genetic Testing and Counseling

Male Genital Organs Laminated Anatomy Chart

Rudiger Anatomie

Rudiger Anatomie

Male Genital Organs Laminated Anatomy Chart

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Warranty Information

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Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Male Genitourinary Tract – StatPearls

Introduction

Structure and Function

Embryology

Blood Supply and Lymphatics

Nerves

Physiologic Variants

Surgical Considerations

Clinical Significance

Review Questions

Figure

References

The male reproductive system and its three main tasks

Spermatogenesis consists of 4 stages:

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