Seminal vesicles Flashcards
What and where are the seminal vesicles?
A pair of small tubular glands located between the fundus of the bladder and the rectum
What is the rectovesicle pouch?
It separates the seminal vesicle from the rectum
What vessel does the seminal vesicle duct combine with?
Combines with vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct (which drains into prostatic urethra)
What is the internal structure of the seminal vesicle?
Honeycombed, lobulated structure
Mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What hormone influences the columnar cells of the seminal vesicle? What happens to the cells?
Testosterone
They grow taller with higher levels of testosterone
What are the columnar cells of the seminal vesicles responsible for?
Seminal secretions
What are the seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts and vas deferens derived from embryologically?
Mesonephric ducts
Acronym for remembering what structures are derived from Mesonephric ducts?
SEED
Seminal vesicles
Epididymis
Ejaculatory duct
Ductus (vas) deferens
What do the seminal vesicles do?
Secrete substances that have a key role in the normal functioning of semen.
Make up 70% of its volume
What substances are secreted by the seminal vesicles?
Alkaline fluid - neutralises acidity of urethra and vagina
Fructose - energy source for sperm
Prostaglandins - suppress female immune system
Clotting factors - keep semen in the female reproductive system post-ejaculation
Blood supply of seminal vesicle?
Branches of internal iliac artery:
inferior vesicle, internal pudendal and middle rectal arteries
