460 ANATOMY FOR NURSES [Chap. XXI 



The prostate. — The prostate gland is situated in front of the 

 neck of the bladder and around the commencement of the urethra. 

 It resembles a chestnut in form and consists of a dense fibrous 

 capsule containing glandular and muscular tissue. The glandular 

 tissue consists of tubules which communicate with the urethra 

 by minute orifices. 



Function. — The function of the prostate gland is to secrete 

 the prostatic fluid, which is an essential element of the seminal 

 fluid. 



Cowper's glands. — These are two small bodies about the size 

 of a pea situated one on each side, adjacent to, and opening into 

 the membranous urethra. They secrete a fluid which goes to 

 form part of the seminal fluid. 



Puberty. — This occurs in the male about a year later than in 

 the female, about fifteen years of age. At this time the " Adam's 

 Apple " develops, producing a marked change in the voice, the ex- 

 ternal genitals grow somewhat rapidly, hair grows on the face, 

 pubes, axillae, and other parts of the body, and seminal fluid begins 

 to be secreted. At the same time sexual desires unknown before 

 are experienced. 



Semen. — The semen is a fluid derived from the various sexual 

 glands in the male. The main elements in this fluid are the sper- 

 matozoa ; the other constituents are derived from the seminal 

 vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper's glands. 



PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 



Reproduction. — The purpose of reproduction is the continua- 

 tion of the species, and is accomplished by means of the reproduc- 

 tive organs, whose importance is in their adaptation to produce 

 another being. 



Impregnation. — The term impregnation or fertilization is ap- 

 plied to the union of the spermatozoon or male cell, with the ovum 

 or female cell. 



The ovum. — The ovum is a minute globular cell about j^-g inch 

 (0.2 mm.) in diameter. The component parts have received 

 special names. 



The ceU-wall is a thick, surrounding envelope, or membrane, 

 called the vitelline membrane. 



