THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: SEMINAL VESICLES
Posted by adminThe seminal vesicles, each about two inches long, sit behind the bladder, next to the rectum, arching over the prostate like two wings or, perhaps, like two clusters of grapes; they appear more clumped than streamlined. Arching still higher over them, on either side, are the vasa deferentia, which meet the seminal vesicles at V-shaped angles; these form the ejaculatory ducts, slitlike openings that feed into the prostatic urethra.
The seminal vesicles are composed of alveoli, little cul-de-sacs that bear viscous secretions—critical in ensuring the consistency of semen. (They got their name from the belief once held that the vesicles stored semen and sperm; they don’t.)
Like the prostate and related tissues known as “sex accessory glands,” the seminal vesicles depend on hormones for their development and growth, and for their ability to produce secretions. The seminal vesicles are highly variable among species: They’re large in humans, rats, hamsters and some rabbits, but are missing altogether in dogs, cats and bears. One unusual point: The seminal vesicles, so similar to the prostate in many ways, are almost always free of abnormal growth—benign (as in BPH) as well as malignant. No one knows why.
*11\201\8*
Add A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.