Internal genital organs of the man

Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

In contrast to women, some important reproductive organs are externally visible in men, namely the penis and scrotum. Inside his body, testicles and epididymis, spermatic ducts and the so-called accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles, prostate and Cowper's glands) are still in the service of reproduction.

Testicles and epididymides

The paired testicles are the sperm production factory. Almost 130 million little swimmers are produced here every day for a healthy young man. There is a reason why this important part of the male anatomy is not well protected in the abdomen, but rather is located in the scrotum: the body temperature of 37 ° C is too warm for the sperm cells. They prefer it a few degrees cooler, which the scrotum can offer them. That is why they are stored here until they are used again: the sperm pass from the scrotum to the epididymis, which sit on the testicles like a crooked cap. Here they continue to mature and wait for the next ejaculation.

When the time comes, the sperm shoots from the epididymis via the spermatic duct into the urethra, which they channel through the penis into the vagina - at a speed of 17 km / h. On the way from the epididymis to the penis, the sperm cells are provided with all sorts of tools and strength food for their demanding mission by the accessory sex glands - seminal vesicles, prostate, Cowper's glands.

Seminal vesicles

The paired seminal vesicles (seed glands) are about five centimeters long, twisting glands that lie between the urinary bladder and rectum. Their secretion, which they release into the vas deferens, makes up about 60 percent of the ejaculated semen volume. It consists largely of a viscous liquid that is slightly alkaline (basic). This enables it to neutralize the acidic environment in the male urethra and the female abdomen. This is important because high acidity would inactivate and kill the sperm.

In addition, the secretion of the seminal vesicles contains fruit sugar (fructose), hormones (so-called prostaglandins) and coagulation proteins.The fructose ensures that the sperm do not run out of energy to swim - one teaspoon of semen has about five calories. The prostaglandins keep the sperm mobile, increase their viability and stimulate the muscles in the female genital tract to contract - as a push for the sperm cells in the direction of the egg. Finally, the coagulation proteins allow the semen to coagulate within five minutes after ejaculation. One does not know exactly what this is supposed to be for. After about 10 to 20 minutes, the sperm will become liquid again, thanks to various enzymes from the prostate secretion (including PSA).

prostate

The prostate gland is a chestnut-shaped gland the size of a golf ball. It sits below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra, which means that it leads directly through the prostate. When the sperm shoots through them during intercourse, the prostate gives them a packed lunch - a milky, slightly acidic secretion that contains citric acid, various protein-splitting enzymes and the antibiotic seminal plasmin. The citric acid can be used by the sperm to generate energy. The protein-splitting enzymes such as PSA - as mentioned above - make the sperm that has clumped up after the ejaculation liquid again. And seminal plasmin kills bacteria that naturally romp around in sperm and in the female abdomen.

Cowper's glands

The paired, pea-sized Cowper's glands below the prostate also make an important contribution to reproduction. When sexually aroused, they release a clear, alkaline secretion into the urethra ("pleasure drops"). It flushes the canal and neutralizes acidic urine residues that are still there. In addition, mucus from the Cowper's glands makes the urethra and the end of the penis smoother. And then everything is ready for the ejaculate shooting through.