Photo: Liza Summer

What happens immediately after sperm leave the testes?

After they leave the testes, the sperm passes through the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.

training.seer.cancer.gov - Duct System - SEER Training

What is the most survivable cancer?

Cancer survival rates by cancer type The highest five-year survival estimates are seen in patients with testicular cancer (97%), melanoma of skin...

Last updated May 24, 2022

How much zinc should I take to lose weight?

The decreases observed for weight, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference in obese people following the restricted calorie diet (RCD) were...

Last updated Mar 16, 2019

Promotion

Duct System

Sperm cells pass through a series of ducts to reach the outside of the body. After they leave the testes, the sperm passes through the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.

Epididymis

Sperm leave the testes through a series of efferent ducts that enter the epididymis. Each epididymis is a long (about 6 meters) tube that is tightly coiled to form a comma-shaped organ located along the superior and posterior margins of the testes. When the sperm leave the testes, they are immature and incapable of fertilizing ova. They complete their maturation process and become fertile as they move through the epididymis. Mature sperm are stored in the lower portion, or tail, of the epididymis.

Ductus Deferens

The ductus deferens, also called vas deferens, is a fibromuscular tube that is continuous ( or contiguous) with the epididymis. It begins at the bottom (tail) of the epididymis then turns sharply upward along the posterior margin of the testes. The ductus deferens enters the abdominopelvic cavity through the inguinal canal and passes along the lateral pelvic wall. It crosses over the ureter and posterior portion of the urinary bladder, and then descends along the posterior wall of the bladder toward the prostate gland. Just before it reaches the prostate gland, each ductus deferens enlarges to form an ampulla. Sperm are stored in the proximal portion of the ductus deferens, near the epididymis, and peristaltic movements propel the sperm through the tube. The proximal portion of the ductus deferens is a component of the spermatic cord, which contains vascular and neural structures that supply the testes. The spermatic cord contains the ductus deferens, testicular artery and veins, lymph vessels, testicular nerve, cremaster muscle that elevates the testes for warmth and at times of sexual stimulation, and a connective tissue covering.

Ejaculatory Duct

Each ductus deferens, at the ampulla, joins the duct from the adjacent seminal vesicle (one of the accessory glands) to form a short ejaculatory duct. Each ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland and empties into the urethra.

Urethra

The urethra extends from the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice at the tip of the penis. It is a passageway for sperm and fluids from the reproductive system and urine from the urinary system. While reproductive fluids are passing through the urethra, sphincters contract tightly to keep urine from entering the urethra. The male urethra is divided into three regions. The prostatic urethra is the proximal portion that passes through the prostate gland. It receives the ejaculatory duct, which contains sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, and numerous ducts from the prostate glands. The next portion, the membranous urethra, is a short region that passes through the pelvic floor. The longest portion is the penile urethra (also called spongy urethra or cavernous urethra), which extends the length of the penis and opens to the outside at the external urethral orifice. The ducts from the bulbourethral glands open into the penile urethra.

What determines who the baby looks like?

DNA. Everyone knows that DNA is what determines your baby's appearance. But DNA is a very complex subject. Everything from hair color, eye color,...

Last updated May 15, 2021

How often does prostate cancer spread?

Currently, about 5-7% of men with prostate cancer have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. In these men, the cancer has already spread to...

Last updated Jul 29, 2021

Promotion

What percentage of men become fathers?

It found more than 60% of the 121 million adult men in the U.S. were fathers. About three-quarters of fathers were married.

archives.stgeorgeutah.com - Census reveals percentage of US men who are fathers

It found more than 60% of the 121 million adult men in the U.S. were fathers. About three-quarters of fathers were married. Almost 13% of dads were divorced and 8% had never been married. Just under a quarter of U.S. men between ages 40 and 50 were childless, and about 17% had never been married by the time they were in their 40s. Both figures were noticeably higher than for women who had reached middle age. Just under 16% of women between ages 40 and 50 were childless, and 14% had never been married, according to the report. There were also noticeable differences in workforce participation between fathers and mothers with young children. Nearly 90% of fathers whose youngest child was under age 6 were employed, while that figure was only around 60% for mothers, according to the report. There was no difference between the sexes for childless men and women. Men with children tended to be more educated than those without kids, although the report noted that may be the result of age since the chances of becoming fathers and reaching higher-education levels increase with age.

Fatherhood also varied by race, ethnic background and age.

Almost 30% of Hispanics in their 20s were fathers. That was true for about a quarter of black men, more than a fifth of white men and an eighth of Asian men. By the time men were in their 40s, those disparities had narrowed. More than 83% of Hispanics were fathers, around 80% of black and Asian men were dads and around three-quarters of white men were fathers.

Written by MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press.

Email: [email protected]

What food stops cortisol?

The goal is to eat foods that reduce inflammation in your body, thus reducing cortisol levels. Here are some foods that help combat stress by...

Last updated Nov 9, 2020

Is chemo effective for prostate cancer?

While chemotherapy is unlikely to cure prostate cancer, it may provide some benefits to patients. For example, it may be used: To relieve symptoms...

Last updated Oct 25, 2021

Promotion

Can prostate be treated without surgery?

PAE is a nonsurgical procedure that decreases the blood supply to the prostate, thus reducing its size and symptoms. An interventional radiologist,...

Last updated Dec 26, 2020

Promotion

How much vitamin D should you take for prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer risk and vitamin D Two recent clinical trials in PC patients suggest that vitamin D supplementation may prevent PC progression. 19...

Last updated Apr 19, 2022