The male reproductive system

The human male reproductive system contains these parts:

  • glands
  • sperm ducts
  • urethra
  • penis
  • testes
Shows the bladder, glands, penis, sperm duct, urethra, testis, foreskin and scrotumThe parts of the human male reproductive system. The bladder empties into the urethra but is not part of the reproductive system

Testes

The two testes (one of them is called a testis) are contained in a bag of skin called the scrotum. The testes have two functions:

  • to produce millions of male gametes (sex cells) called sperm
  • to make male sex hormones, which affect the way a man's body develops

Sperm duct and glands

The sperm 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 out of the man's body

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.