Testicles are located
in the scrotum below the penis. The scrotal sac is the
exterior structure that protects the testicles by ascending
or descending according to the temperature. The testicles
produce sex cells called sperm that are sensitive to
high temperatures. A sperm cell will combine with the
female’s egg cell for reproduction, however, for
any of the man’s sperm cells to reach the egg,
they require a fluid medium produced by the seminal
vesicles and the prostate gland. Testicles also produce
the sex hormone testosterone which is responsible for
producing the primary male characteristics for the fetus
in utero as well as the secondary sexual characteristics
that develop during puberty. Testosterone fuels the
production and growth of the prostate gland, and when
a man develops prostate cancer, the growth of the organ
can be stopped by removing testosterone. One way therapists
ablate the amount of testosterone in the body is by
surgically removing the testicles in a process called
surgical castration or orchiectomy. Surgical castration
removed only the testicles, not the scrotal sac, so
men who opt for surgical castration may also request
the insertion of a testicular prosthesis.
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