Seminal vesicle
Updates to Article Attributes
The seminal vesicles are paired accessory sex glands of the male reproductive system. The seminal vesicle produces over two-thirds of the ejaculate and is very high in fructose.
Gross anatomy
The seminal vesicle is actually a 10-15 cm long tubular structure but is coiled tightly so it only measures 4-5 cm in length. It is located superiorly and posteriorly to the prostate.
The excretory duct of the seminal vesicle unites with the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.
Relations
-
posteriorlyanteriorly: base of bladder - inferiorly and anteriorly: prostate
- posteriorly: rectovesical fascia
- medially: ampulla of ductus deferens
- superiorly: tips of the seminal vesicles covered by the peritoneum of the rectovesical pouch
Blood supply
Innervation
- sympathetic fibres from the testicular and hypogastric plexuses 4
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
- fluid-filled structure located posteriorly and superiorly to the prostate gland 2
CT
- has a typical "bow-tie" appearance and soft-tissue density; located between the prostate and the bladder 2, 5
- normally separated from the bladder by a fat plane
- normally are less than 1.5 cm in diameter, beyond that they can be considerd dilated 5
according to one publication the mean length was estimated to be around 3 cm with the mean width at around 1.5 cm 6
they may be larger in those with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease 7
MRI
- T1: low-to-intermediate signal
- T2: convoluted areas of high signal representing seminal fluid and low signal walls 5
Related pathology
-<li>posteriorly: <a href="/articles/urinary-bladder">bladder</a>- +<li>anteriorly: <a href="/articles/urinary-bladder">base of bladder</a>
- +<li>posteriorly: rectovesical fascia</li>
- +<li>medially: ampulla of ductus deferens</li>
- +<li>superiorly: tips of the seminal vesicles covered by the peritoneum of the rectovesical pouch</li>
-<li><a title="seminal vesicle abscess" href="/articles/seminal-vesicle-abscess">seminal vesicle abscess</a></li>- +<li><a href="/articles/seminal-vesicle-abscess">seminal vesicle abscess</a></li>
References changed:
- 8. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN044304662X">Read it at Google Books</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044304662X">Find it at Amazon</a><span class="auto"></span>