Page 207 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

c. Epididymis
Epididymis is a small organ which lies behind the testes and is attached to it. It consists of
very long extensively coiled up narrow tube. It extends from the base of testes and lies on
the testes. It helps to transfer sperms to the vas deferens.

d. Vas deferens
Vas deferens is a small thick walled tube which extends from the epididymis. It is joined
by the seminal vesicle and together form the ejaculatory duct. It helps to transmit sperms
in the seminal vesicle.

e. Seminal vesicles
Seminal vesicles are two small pouches made up of fibrous muscles. They lie at the
posterior part of urinary bladder. Each seminal vesicle is about (4-5) cm long. They store
the sperms transferred by vas deferens. So, they are also called reservoirs of sperms. They
produce seminal fluid which help to nourish sperms and make them alive.

f. Ejaculatory ducts
Ejaculatory ducts are the ducts which are formed by the union of ducts from vas deferens
and seminal vesicles. There are two ejaculatory ducts, each measuring two centimetres
long. They support to transfer sperms into urethra during ejaculation.

g. Prostate gland
Prostate gland is broad heart shaped organ about the size of large walnut. It lies below
the urinary bladder surrounding urethra. It consists of glands, tubes and involuntary
muscles. It secretes lubricating liquid that neutralizes sperms.

h. Urethra

Urethra is a long tube about 16 to 20 cm long which ends in external orifice of urethra in
glans penis. It helps to ejaculate sperms during ejaculation and discharge urine during
urination. However, there is no possibility of discharge of sperms and urine together at
the same time.

i. Penis
Penis is the external male reproductive organ which lies in front of scrotum between
the thighs in the lower abdominal region of males. It is cylindrical in shape and consists
of spongy erectile tissues and involuntary muscles. Its tip is triangular in shape which
is called glans penis. Urethra is extended upto glans penis. Glans penis is made up of
spongy and sensitive tissues and is covered with double-layered skin called foreskin.
It is supplied with the blood capillaries which get filled in with blood during the time
of erection and becomes large as well as hard. It settles down to normal position due to
constriction of veins after ejaculation. The main function of penis is to deposit sperms into
female reproductive organs and discharge urine. The size of penis in men varies due to
physical structure, nutrition and racial genetics.
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 207