The term urogenital refers to something that has both urinary and genital origins. The word urogenital is used because the urinary and reproductive systems in males merge. The male urogenital system consists of several parts, including the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, urethra, and penis, prostate and accessory glands.
The testis is a firm, mobile organ lying within the scrotum; the left testis lies slightly lower than the right. The testes are the primary reproductive organs (gonads) in the male, and are responsible for the production of sperm. The testis is covered by a capsule. The inner surface of the testicular capsule has projections that divide the organ into lobules. Contained within these lobules are the seminiferous tubules, which open into a series of channels called the rete testis. Sperm moves from the rete testis to the upper epididymis via the efferent ductules.
One of the main functional components of the testes are the somniferous tubules. Other important functional components of the testis are Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. The Leydig cells in the testis are responsible for the production of testosterone, and are almost nonexistent before puberty. The testosterone secreted by these cells is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, including:
- Changes to body hair distribution
- Baldness (testosterone decreases hair follicle growth on the top of the head)
- Change in voice
- Increased skin thickness and development of acne
- Increased bone density
- Increased basal metabolic levels
- Increased number of red blood cells
- Increased body water due to increased resumption of water and electrolytes in the kidneys.
Tags: Male Urogenital System