Males Reproductive System-System of Ducts

The male reproductive system consists of following ducts-

1) Ducts of the Testis

Fluid from Sertoli cells pushes sperm in the lumen of seminiferous tubules and then to straight tubules where it forms a network of ducts called the rete testis, then to coiled efferent ducts in the epididymis that empty into a single tube called the ductus epididymis.

2) Epididymis

It is a comma-shaped organ, 4 cm long that lies on the posterior border of each testis. The efferent ducts join the ductus epididymis at the superior portion of the epididymis called the head. The body is the narrow midportion of the epididymis, and the tail is the smaller, inferior portion. The tail of the epididymis is continued as the ductus deferens. The epididymis is the site of sperm maturation, where sperm becomes motile and have the ability to fertilize an ovum. It propels sperm toward the ductus deferens where it stores sperm & remains viable for several months and reabsorbed sperm which is not ejaculated.

3) Ductus Deferens

Ductus epididymis at the tail end in epididymis becomes less convoluted and from here the duct is known as the ductus deferens or vas deferens. The ductus deferens is ascending through the spermatic cord and then enters the pelvic cavity, it forms loops over the ureter and passes down the posterior surface of the urinary bladder. The dilated terminal portion is the ampulla.

4) Spermatic Cord

The spermatic cord ascends out of the scrotum. It consists of the ductus deferens, the testicular artery, veins, nerves, lymphatic vessels, and the cremaster muscle and it passes through the inguinal canal.

5) Ejaculatory Ducts

The ejaculatory duct is about 2 cm long and is formed by the union of the duct from the seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the ductus deferens. The ejaculatory ducts form superior to the prostate & terminate in the prostatic urethra, where they eject sperm and seminal vesicle’s secretions.

6) Urethra

The urethra is a common duct of the reproductive and urinary systems, it is a passageway for both semen and urine, 20 cm long, it has three parts. The prostatic urethra about 2–3 cm long passes through the prostate. This duct continues inferiorly, passes through the deep muscles of the perineum, where it is known as the intermediate (membranous) urethra, which is about 1 cm, as this duct passes through the corpus spongiosum of the penis, it is known as the spongy urethra, about 15–20 cm long and ends at the external urethral orifice.

For better understanding, you can watch this video