Surah At Taariq (the Morning Star) states that Allah (swt) has created the human from gushing water proceeding from between the back-bone and the ribs. Many have used these verses and argued for centuries that this represents an error in the Quran – They state the Quran is downright wrong. They would argue this verse (although the Arabic term Ma’ means “water”) refers to the male sperm which is commonly associated with the male testes. The testes sit anatomically in the scrotum and not between the back bone (spine) and the breastbone (ribs). 

Let us take a deeper dive into anatomy (a field I have expertise in (a doctorate)).

First: If this does refer to the testes and semen production: 

1- Germ cells in the genital ridge in the embryo migrates to the site of the future testes from in between the future vertebral column and the ribs this also happens in the ovaries

2- Testes in embryology were abdominal organs locating nearly in between the future vertebral column and ribs which then descend into the scrotum

Most every Human Embryology Textbook will verify that between the 3rd month of pregnancy and its end the testes become transferred from the lumbar area (ventro-medial to the mesonephros) into the future scrotum. This transfer is due to a combination of growth processes and hormonal influences. The gubernaculum testis also plays a decisive role in this phenomenon. It arises in the course of the 7th week from the lower gubernaculum, after the mesonephros has atrophied. Cranially it has its origin at the testis and inserts in the region of the genital swelling (future scrotum). At the same time, at the inguinal canal along the lower gubernaculum, an evagination of the peritoneum arises, the vaginal process, on which the testes will slide through the inguinal canal.

3- During their descent, the testes retain their original blood supply, with the testicular arteries branching from the lumbar aorta. Please refer to the cadaveric dissection below – particularly where Testicular Arteries connect to the Abdominal Aorta and receive their blood supplies (directly between the backbone and the ribs)! Also the semen itself is fluid derived from this blood supply (blood is also conveniently approximately 90% water (or Ma’ in arabic))!

 

Now let us talk about the process of discharging the semen itself

The process of releasing semen is termed ejaculation. In this article (and many other peer reviewed research experiments) – The Lumbar Spinothalamic Cells have been identified as pivotal in the regulation and process of ejaculation. These lumbar spinothalamic cells (LSt cells) typically are noted between L1-L5 in the Lumbar Spine. Experiments have even been able to induce ejaculation directly by electrode stimulation to the L4 lumbar spinothalamic cells. So the Backbone itself serves as a crucial regulator itself of the reproductive process!

 

Another interesting discussion –  Where does the sperm actually come from?

 In fact, only approximately 2-5% of the constitution of sperm is attributed to the testes (below the terminal aspect of the backbone (coccyx)). Around 65%-70% of the ejaculatory fluid that contains sperm comes from the seminal vesicles, which are parallel to the backbone, and around 25-30% from the prostate and 1%-5% from the bulbourethral gland which are in the loin area. 

The seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral gland are either between the backbone or loins and the ribs (please refer to the images below). It is important to note that the word for the backbone in the Arabic (al-sul’bi) includes the tailbone or coccyx. So the primary contributors to sperm generation (over 95% to 98%) are located between the backbone and ribs plus the blood supply (Ma’) to all organs is the abdominal aorta (primarily the lumbar section directly between the backbone and ribs). Please refer to the diagram below to view the anatomy of the seminal vesicles/prostate/bulbourethral glands/ and testes.

 

What about the Bone itself? 

Even more recent data has identified another shocking finding associated with male fertility and sperm generation. The Skeleton (Bone) itself helps regulate male fertility! We know the lumbar spinal and the lumbar spinothalamic cells (LSt cells) may facilitate the process of ejaculation; but researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered that the skeleton acts as a regulator of fertility in male subjects through a hormone released by bone, known as osteocalcin. In the testes, osteocalcin acts on Leydig cells, stimulating testosterone biosynthesis and therefore affects male fertility. The image below helps illustrate this process/feedback loop. The bones are mentioned with male reproduction – Today we know that bones in fact help regulate male fertility.

Nearly 1400 years ago – the Quran in Surah At Taariq (the Morning Star) states that Allah (swt) has created the human from gushing water proceeding from between the back-bone and the ribs. Anatomy and physiology studies primarily from the last century have now verified – Yes!