Chapter 4

Male Sexual Anatomy and

Physiology

The Penis
External anatomy of the penis includes:
Foreskin, glans, shaft, root

Internal anatomy of the penis includes:

Cavernous bodies (corpora cavernosa)
Spongy body (corpus spongiosum)
Penile urethra

Why is it important to conduct regular genital self-exams, and what should a man
look for?

The Penis

The Penis
Corona
Frenulum
Glans

The Penis

The Scrotum
Sac or pouch with two chambers
Muscle layer (tunica dartos)
Pulls sac closer to body in cold temperatures

Spermatic cord

The Testes
Testes
Secrete male hormones
Produce sperm

Cryptorchidism
Undescended testis

Self-exam is recommended

Underlying Structures of the

Scrotum

The Testes
Seminiferous tubules
Site of sperm production

Interstitial cells
Major source of androgens

Epididymis
Sperm maturation

Internal Structure of a Testis

The Vas Deferens

Move sperm from scrotum to ejaculatory
duct through prostate
Ejaculatory ducts open into the urethra

Male Sexual Anatomy

Male Sexual Anatomy

Seminal Vesicle
Secretes 70% of seminal fluid

Prostate Gland
Secretes 30% of seminal fluid

Cowpers Glands
Secretes fluid before ejaculations
May contain active, healthy sperm

Semen (seminal fluid)

Volume is about 1 teaspoon
200 to 500 million sperm

Erection
Coordinated by autonomic nervous system
Arteries expand
Blood out flow cannot keep up with in flow

Capacity for erection is present at birth

Psychogenic and physiogenic erections

Ejaculation
Spinal reflex triggers two phases
Emission
Fluid in urethral bulb

Expulsion
Semen expelled

Retrograde ejaculation
Nocturnal emission

Concerns about Sexual

Functioning
Penis Size
Penis size is seen as a symbol of virility
Erect penises show less variation than flaccid
Size NOT related to sexual satisfaction
Penile augmentation
Genital retraction syndrome

Concerns about Sexual

Functioning
Phimosis
Extremely tight foreskin

Circumcision

Hygienic value & risk for STIs question

Medical risks
Some states are trying to ban circumcision
AAP: moderate opposition
Data not significant to recommend routine procedure

Male Genital Health

Penis Health-Care Issues
Cleanliness
Smegma
Infections

Reaction to vaginal secretions

Injuries
Penile cancer

Male Genital Health

Testicle Health-Care Issues
Testicular Cancer
More common in young men (20 to 35 years
old)
Risk factors
Hard or irregular mass in testes
Survival is greater than 90% if detected early

Male Genital Health

Prostate Health-Care Issues
Prostate diseases
Prostatitis
enlarged and inflamed
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostate cancer

New guidelines from the USPSTF

Healthy men should not have the PSA test

Treatment options for prostate cancer