In males, genitals are both internal and external. The obvious external parts are penis, scrotum, and testes. For every slang term for female genitalia there are probably three or four for the male equivalent.
What is a penis? The penis is made from three cylindrical pieces of erectile tissue and a large cover, (sometimes removed). The two corpora cavernosa are side-by-side, and as the name suggests, these are spaces that fill with blood when the male is aroused and make the penis erect. The third cylindrical part is the corpus spongiosum, and this covers the urethra. The foreskin, if not removed, covers the large end or tip of the penis, which is called glans penis. If you have had an erection, you can thank the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum for that!
The scrotum, sometimes referred to as the ballsack, is a thick sac of skin that protects the testes and regulates their temperature, so they can hug the person’s undercarriage when it’s cold or hang lower and looser when warm. The testes have to be a few degrees cooler than the rest of the body for optimal sperm production and nourishment.
Testes is the term for two testis. A common nickname for these is the family jewels, because they are precious and important to reproduction. The testes have two primary functions: producing sperm, also known as spermatogenesis, which carries the person’s DNA, and testosterone, the male sex hormone.
The seminiferous tubule, located within the testes, is where sperm are produced in a process called meiosis, where stem cells divide to create four daughter cells with half the chromosomes of the parent.
Sperm is the male gamete or reproductive cell, created when the spermatogonia or male germ cells undergo spermatogenesis to produce sperm. Sertoli cells nourish the male germ cells so they can become sperm.
Leydig cells are interstitial cells found outside the seminiferous tubes that secrete testosterone and androgens.
Accessory ductwork
The rete testis carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts. It is a space for fluid reabsorption.
The vasa efferentia are 12-20 ductules connecting the rete testis with the vas deferens, and forming the compact head of the epididymis, making the pathway for sperm cells from the testis. This is important for both system function and sexual pleasure.
The epididymis is a coiled part of the spermatic ducts that provides the spermatozoa a place to mature and learn to swim. It is responsible for transport and maturation.
The vas deferens or ductus deferens is a pair of thick, muscular tubes 18-45cm long and part of the spermatic cord, transporting sperm from the epididymis to the ampulla, the reservoir for sperm prior to ejaculation.
The ejaculatory duct is a muscular canal connecting the vas deferens and seminal vesicles. It passes through the prostate and delivers the sperm in time for ejaculation.
The urethra is a tube that travels through the penis and connects the bladder to the urinary meatus. In men the urethra carries urine and semen, so it’s a challenge for men with erections.
The urinary meatus, as in women, is the opening for the urethra, where urine and sperm exit during urination and ejaculation. See, simple!
Men have two urethral sphincters, internal and external. The internal sphincter regulates involuntary control of the flow of urine from the bladder to the urethra, and the external provides voluntary control of that flow. The internal sphincter also acts as a guard against semen going into the bladder during ejaculation, which would be a bad thing.
Accessory glands
The two seminal vesicles are tightly coiled sacs on the back of the bladder extending from the base of the prostate, 2- 4cm long and 1-2mm in diameter. They produce fluid to feed the sperm cells, proteins, sugar, enzymes, and mucus.
The prostate gland sits in the lower pelvis, in front of the rectum and beneath the bladder. When you’re young it’s the size of a walnut; when you turn 40 it can be the size of an apricot, and when you reach 60 it can be as large as a lemon. It produces the fluid that mixes with sperm to create semen.
Men have two pea-sized bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s glands, which are responsible for producing the pre-ejaculation fluid secreted during sexual arousal. Urine in the urethra can be acidic enough to kill sperm cells, and this fluid is important to keep them alive.
Whatever you choose to call these parts, it’s important to know what they are and how they function.
More than franks and beans, twigs and berries or cock and balls, there’s a whole lot going on inside and out. Did you learn anything about your anatomy or your partner? I hope so!
I’m Hedda Fay reminding you that your parts are parts of you, take good care of them, get them tested and wear protection when navigating the seas of sex and sensuality. Have a wonderful orgasm!
Hedda Fay, the Community Outreach and Program Manager of Northland Cares, answers your questions about sex and sexual health.
