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Copyright © 2001 |
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8-14. PRIMARY MALE SEX ORGANS (TESTES) The primary sex organ of the human male is the testis. See figure 8-5 for an illustration of the male genital system. The testes are egg-shaped.
a. Location. The paired testes lie within the scrotum. The scrotum is a sac of loose skin attached in the pubic area of the lower abdomen. The scrotum provides a site cooler than body temperature to maintain the viability of the spermatozoa. However, when the air is too cold, muscles and muscular fibers draw the testes and scrotum closer to the body to maintain warmth. Otherwise, the scrotum hangs loosely. The tunica vaginalis is a serous cavity surrounding each testis. b. Functions. The testis produces the male sex cells called spermatozoa (spermatozoon, singular). The spermatozoa are continuously produced by the millions. One such cell may eventually fertilize an ovum of a human female. The testes also produce male sex hormones called androgens. |
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| Primary Content Providers: The U. S. Army, The
U.S. Navy Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services |
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