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EXTERNAL ACCESSORY ORGANS
The external accessory organs of the male
reproductive system include the scrotum and penis
(fig. 1-60).
Scrotum
The scrotum is a cutaneous pouch containing the
testes and part of the spermatic cord. Immediately
beneath the skin is a thin layer of muscular
fibers (the cremaster), which is
controlled by temperature and contracts
or relaxes to lower or raise the testes in
relation to the body. This muscular activity of the
scrotum is necessary to regulate the
temperature of the testes, which is
important in the maturation of sperm
cells.
Penis
The penis is a cylindrical organ that conveys urine
and semen through the urethra to the
outside. The penis is composed of three
columns of spongy cavernous tissue,
bound together by connective tissue and loosely
covered by a layer of skin. Two of the columns, the
corpora cavernosa, lie superiorly
side by side; the third column, the corpus
spongiosum, lies below the other
two columns. The urethra is located in the corpus
spongiosum. The dilated distal end of the corpus
spongiosum is known as the glans penis (fig.
1-60). The urethra terminates at the
glans penis.
The cavernous tissue becomes greatly distended
with blood during sexual excitement, causing an
erection of the penis. The loose skin of the
penis folds back on itself at the
distal end (forming the prepuce, or
foreskin) and covers the glans. The prepuce is
sometimes removed by a surgical procedure called a
circumcision.
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