4 seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland Flashcards
what forms the bulk of seminal fluid (semen) in which sperms are suspended?
seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands
what happens during sexual arousal and ejaculation? (sequence)
secretions are emitted in a controlled sequence commencing with the bulbourethral glands, then prostate, followed by the spermatozoa, and finally, the seminal vesicles
what is the structural and functional integrity of the glands dependent upon?
adequate levels of male sex hormones
what are seminal vesicles?
2 small glands lying posterior to the prostate gland
what do the body of the seminal vesicles consist of? joining? forms?
single, highly convoluted tube that joins the ampulla of the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct
what does the mucous membrane of the seminal vesicle form?
an elaborate system of thin, branched, anastomosing folds which project into the lumen
what does the large lumen of the seminal vesicle contain?
coagulated secretion
what is the epithelium lining the mucous membrane of the seminal vesicles?
varies from simple columnar to pseudostratified
what is the lamina propria of seminal vesicles surrounded by?
a smooth muscle coat divided into an inner circular and a very thin outer longitudinal layer
what do the prostate gland surround?
the urethra at its origin from the bladder (prostatic urethra)
what is the prostate gland composed of?
numerous small, compound alveolar glands from which excretory ducts originate and open independently into the prostatic urethra
what do the secretions of the prostatic gland form? (ejaculate volume)
about 1/3 of the ejaculate volume
what do secretions of the prostatic gland contain?
prostaglandins
proteolytic enzymes
citric acid
what is the prostatic gland surrounded by?
a fibro-muscular capsule from which branching septae divide it into numerous, but separate, compound alveolar glands
what are the septae of the prostatic gland characterised by?
discrete bundles of SM fibres interweaving with the CT
what is the epithelium lining the prostatic glands?
varies from low cuboidal to simple / pseudostratified columnar
what do the cells of prostatic epithelium have?
pale-staining cytoplasm
what does the epithelium of the prostatic gland rest on?
a very thin lamina propria
what may be seen attached to the free cell surfaces of the prostatic epithelium? where else is it seen?
blebs of secretion
and often seen in lumen of glands
what is also present in the lumina of the prostatic glands?
concentrically laminated eosinophilic bodies, the prostatic concretions (corpora amylacea), some of which may be calcified
where are the bulbourethral glands located?
within the urogenital diaphragm
what do the bulbourethral glands contain?
tubular and alveolar-type glands
what do the bulbourethral glands produce just prior to ejaculation?
a clear watery secretion that may lubricate the urethra
when do the prostate glands enlarge?
in old age
what is benign prostatic hyperplasia dependent on?
sex hormone dependent
main symptoms of BPH?
urinary obstruction and bladder irriration
what is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men?
prostatic cancer
cause of prostatic cancer?
genetic, hormonal ,environmental etc.
factors are implicated in pathogenesis
what is produced by normal / abnormal prostatic epithelial cells? (elevated in prostatic disorders)
blood levels of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
what are tests used to differentiate between pathology of the prostate?
a range of diagnostic tests used to asses and differentiate between prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis (inflammation) and carcinoma
