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Male Anatomy The physiology cycle of human male sexuality begins in the hypothalamus and ends at the penis. It is a very complex process with a simple goal, one which has possessed men since they looked down and noticed that familiar face greeting them. External Structures The external male reproductive organs vary tremendously between individuals and are unique as snowflakes, just like the female vulvas. In the examples below, you'll notice the shape, size, and coloration of the penis and scrotum varies greatly even between the 3 pictures shown. All of these variations are normal. The left image is an uncircumsized penis in which the foreskin is intact and covers the head or glans of the penis. In circumsized males, there is often a ring of skin along the shaft near the head that is slightly darker than the rest. This is where the circumcision scar is, or was. Good circumcisions performed in infancy or adulthood often leave no noticable scarring. It is also common for the scrotum to appear darker than the surrounding skin. Differences in size of either the penis, scrotum, or testicles are often of little reproductive consequence, although if you suspect something is wrong with your sexual functioning or have unexplained pain, it is advisable that you see a doctor.  Flaccid penis size is often no good proportional indicator of erect size. Studies have shown males with smaller flaccid penises often show proportionately longer erect penis lengths than their longer flaccid male counterparts. What this means is, across the board, greater differences in flaccid, un-erect penis sizes tend to average out in the erect measurement totals. Most women prefer an erect penis between 5" and 7" according to a recent Sex Project poll. Some women also reported penises larger than 7" to 9" would be too large and painful for a pleasurable experience, while others reported a penis smaller than 6" wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Others still reported they prefer larger penises, while others prefered smaller penises. The point is, there's a woman to prefer every dick. The male breasts, although not generally thought of as primary male sex organs, contain all the same structures as female breasts in much smaller, undeveloped proportions, and many men find stimulation of their nipples and chest to be pleasurable. Men may also develop breast cancer, although the risk is much lower than that of women. As always, if you notice any lumps or unusual pain in your breast area, you should speak with a doctor. Other secondary sex organs can include the rectum, buttocks, and perineum, the highly sensitive area between the anus and the testicles. Internal Structures Detailed descriptions are listed below the image. The internal male sexual anatomy makes up a complex system of mental and physical states surrounding the male reproductive cycle.  1. Hypothalamus. This central, pronged part of the brain straddles the more basic thalamus, hovers over the pituitary gland, and is largely responsible for regulating hormone production within the body. Specifically, it controls the sex hormones FSH and LH secreted by the pituitary gland. FSH regulates sperm production in the testes and LH controls the secretion of androgens such as testosterone in the Leydig cells. 2. Pituitary Gland. The pituitary is a pea-sized gland located just below the hypothalamus. It naturally secretes a number of hormones, two of which, FSH and LH, control the male reproductive functions, and is regulated by the hypothalamus. 3. Central Nervous System. The nerves that run between the reproductive organs and the brain are part of the electrical neuropathways that make up the sexual bio-feedback system. It serves as the network of transmission between the various connection points of the senses and the brain. 4. Spine. The spine houses and protects the lower central nervous system; the spinal cord. 5. Seminal Vesicle. The seminal vesicles produce a fluid that activates and protects the sperm after it has left the penis during ejaculation, and are located next to the ampulla and empty into the ejaculatory duct, which passes in from the vas deferens above and out below through the prostate gland. 6. Vas Deferens. This 18-inch cord extends upward from the epididymus in the testes, over and beside the bladder, and ends at the ampulla and ejaculatory duct, right over the prostate gland. These are the ducts that are cut during the simple sterilization procedure known as vasectomy, due to their relatively easy surgical access through the sides of the scrotum. 7. Ejaculatory Duct. The ampulla, the flask-shaped gland into which the vas deferens passes, in turn passes into the ejaculatory duct, an opening right above the prostate gland. Semen exits these glands on its journey towards ejaculation through this duct. 8. Bulbourehtral or Cowper's Gland. This small gland secretes a small amount of a thick clear mucous fluid prior to ejaculation, the alkaline content of which seems to buffer the acidity of the urethra and help ensure success of the sperm. 9. Prostate Gland. This donut-shaped gland surrounds the urethra and ejaculatory duct, regulates their fluid passage, and produces a fluid that makes up about 30-35% of semen. The prostate gland also acts as a valve to prevent urine from mixing with the semen and disturbing the pH balance required by sperm. 10. Scrotum. The external sac containing the testicles. It is external because of the slightly lower-than-normal body temperature required to sustain sperm. 11. Testes also testis, pl. Testicles. The two testicles within the scrotum produce sperm in the epididymus under the stimulus of FSH, and under the influence of LH the Leydig or interstitial cells in-between the seminiferous tubules secrete androgens, primarily testosterone. Within each of the testicles is a kilometer of ducts called the seminiferous tubules, the organs which generate sperm. Each testicle produces nearly 150 million sperm every 24 hours. It is normal for the left testes to naturally rest slightly lower than the right, although variations are not uncommon and have no effect on reproductive function. 12. Epididymus. This is a resevoir hovering over the testes where sperm produced and held by the seminiferous tubules collect as they mature. Sperm will collect here until ejaculation or nocturnal emission or until they are recycled by re-absorption into the body as they die. 13. Urethra. This is the common duct for urine and semen passage that begins where it exits the prostate from the ejaculatory duct, branches towards the vas deferens and urinary bladder, and exits through the tip of the penis. 14. Corpus Cavernosa, pl. Corpora Cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa are the two spongy bodies of erectile tissue on either side of the penis which become engorged with blood from arteries in the penis during arousal, producing erection. The corpus spongiosum is a third spongy body of erectile tissue which runs under the other two, surrounding the penile urethra. Together, the three form the base and shaft of the erect penis. 15. Foreskin. The loose, protective, highly sexually sensitive layer of skin covering the tip or glans of the penis head. A large portion of this skin is removed in a circumcision procedure. Underneath the foreskin in the head are several glands which produce a thick mucous substance called smegma. It is important for uncircumsized men to clean beneath their foreskin regularly to prevent smegma from accumulating, where it can eventually irritate and even infect the foreskin and cause foul odors and discomfort. 16. Head or Tip of Penis. The top of the penis, through which the urethra exits. 17. Anus. Passage through which solid waste exits the body, behind the primary genital reproductive structures. Many sexually-wired nerves also serve the anus, and many people find stimulation of the anus or area around it to be particularly erotic. 18. Urinary Bladder. Sits over the prostate gland and stores urine until it is passed. |
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