Structure and Function
Scrotum
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
The external genitalia consist of the penis and the scrotum
Penis
 male reproductive organ
 attached to the pubic arch by ligaments, the penis is
freely movable
 The shaft of the penis is composed of three
cylindrical masses of vascular erectile tissue that are
bound together by fibrous tissue— two corpora
cavernosa on the dorsal side and the corpus
spongiosum on the ventral side
 Corpus spongiosum: extends distally to form the
acorn-shaped glans
- Acorn-shaped glans: the base of the glans, or
corona, is somewhat larger as compared to the
shaft of the penis
- If the man has not been circumcised, a hood-like
fold of skin called the foreskin or prepuce covers
the glans
- In the center of the corpus spongiosum is the
urethra, which travels through the shaft and
opens as a slit at the tip of the glans as the
urethral meatus
- A fold of foreskin that extends ventrally from the
urethral meatus is called the frenulum
 The penis has a role in both reproduction and
urination
 it is a thin-walled sac that is suspended below the
pubic bone, posterior to the penis
 This darkly pigmented structure contains sweat and
sebaceous glands and consists of folds of skin (rugae)
and the cremaster muscle
 Function:
- serve as a protective covering for the testes,
epididymis, and vas deferens
- helps to maintain the cooler-than-body
temperature necessary for production of sperm
(less than 37°C)
 The scrotum can maintain temperature control
because the cremaster muscle is sensitive to changes
in temperature
- For Cold: the muscle contracts
- For Warmth: raising the scrotum and testes
upward toward the body (cremasteric reflex)
This accounts for the wrinkled appearance of the scrotal skin.
When the temperature is warm, the muscle relaxes, lowering
the scrotum and testes away from the heat of the body. When
the cremaster muscle relaxes, the scrotal skin appears smooth
INTERNAL GENITALIA
Testes
Internally the scrotal sac is divided into two portions by a
septum, each portion containing one testis
 The testes are a pair of ovoid-shaped organs, similar
to the ovaries in the woman, that are approximately
3.7 to 5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 2.5 cm deep
 Tunica Vaginalis: a serous membrane that covers
each testis
- it separates the testis from the scrotal wall
- it is double layered and lubricated to protect the
testes from injury
 Function of The Testes: is to produce spermatozoa
and the male sex hormone testosterone

Spermatic Cord
The testes are suspended in the scrotum by a spermatic cord
 The spermatic cord contains blood vessels, lymphatic
vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens (or ductus
deferens), which transports spermatozoa away from
the testis
 The spermatic cord on the left side is usually longer;
thus, the left testis hangs lower than the right testis.
 Epididymis: it is a comma-shaped, coiled, tubular
structure that curves up over the upper and posterior
surface of the testis
- it is within the epididymis that the spermatozoa
mature
 Vas Deferens: it is a firm, muscular tube that is
continuous with the lower portion of the epididymis
- it travels up within the spermatic cord through
the inguinal canal into the abdominal cavity
- at this point, it separates from the spermatic cord
and curves behind the bladder
- it joins with the duct of the seminal vesicle and
forms the ejaculatory duct
- finally, the ejaculatory duct empties into the
urethra within the prostate gland
The vas deferens provides the passage for transporting sperm
from the testes to the urethra for ejaculation. Along the way,
secretions from the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate
gland, and Cowper’s (or bulbourethral) glands mix with the
sperm and form semen
ANUS AND RECTUM
INGUINAL AREA
Anal Canal
 Hernias: protrusion of loops of bowel through weak
areas of the musculature are common in the inguinal
or groin area
 The inguinal area is contained between the anterior
superior iliac spine laterally and the symphysis pubis
medially
- Running diagonally between these two
landmarks, just above and parallel with the
inguinal ligament, is the inguinal canal
 Inguinal Canal: it is a tube-like structure (4–5 cm or
1.5–2 inches long in an adult) through which the vas
deferens travels as it passes through the lower
abdomen
 External Inguinal Ring: it is the exterior opening of
the inguinal canal, which can be palpated above and
lateral to the symphysis pubis
- it feels triangular and slit-like
 Internal Inguinal Ring: it is the internal opening of
the inguinal canal
- it is located 1 to 2 cm above the midpoint of
the inguinal ligament and cannot be palpated
 Femoral Canal: it is another potential spot for a
hernia
- the femoral canal is located posterior to the
inguinal canal and medial to and running
parallel with the femoral artery and vein
 it is the final segment of the digestive system. It
begins at the anal sphincter and ends at the anorectal
junction
- Anorectal Junction: also known as the
pectinate line, mucocutaneous junction, or
dentate line
 it measures from 2.5 cm to 4 cm long
 it is lined with skin that contains no hair or sebaceous
glands but does contain many somatic sensory
nerves, making it susceptible to painful stimuli
 Anal Opening: or anal verge can be distinguished
from the perianal skin by its hairless, moist
appearance.
- The anal verge extends interiorly, overlying
the external anal sphincter