The reproductive system contains the organs needed for reproduction or producing babies. The male reproductive system contains these parts:
testes (pronounced "test-eez")
glands
sperm ducts
urethra
penis.
Male reproductive system
Testes
The two testes (one of them is called a testis) are contained in a bag of skin called the scrotum. They have two functions:
to produce millions of male sex cells called sperm
to make male sex hormones, which affect the way a man's body develops.
Sperm duct and glands
The sperm can pass through the sperm ducts, and mix with fluids produced by the glands. The fluids provide the sperm cells with nutrients. The mixture of sperm and fluids is called semen.
Penis and urethra
The penis has two functions:
to pass urine out of the man's body
to pass semen into the vagina of a woman during sexual intercourse.
The urethra is the tube inside the penis that can carry urine or semen. A ring of muscle makes sure that there is no chance of urine and semen getting mixed up.
