| Male
Reproductive System |
The
male reproductive organs include the testes, the epididymis,
the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral
glands, scrotum and penis. Nearby structures are the
bladder and rectum.
Sperm are produced in the 
testes and move into the 
epididymis where they mature over a period of 10 to
14 days. Sperm are stored here and in the 
vas deferens where they can remain viable for several
months. When ejaculation occurs muscle contractions of the vas
deferens propel sperm into the 
ejaculatory duct where is is mixed with seminal fluid
from the seminal vesicles. This fluid constitutes
about 60% of the volume of semen. The sperm and seminal fluid
continue through the prostate gland into the
(prostatic) urethra. Here it is mixed with prostatic
secretions which enter the urethra via many tiny prostatic ducts.
Next the
bulbourethral glands contribute fluid to the semen
as it exits the prostate and continues through the urethra.
Lastly muscles near the bulb of the penis help
to propel the semen through the 
urethra out of the body.
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