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 10-15cm long tubular structure but is coiled tightly so it only meaures 4-5cm in length. It is located superiorly and posteriorly to the prostate.
The excretory duct of the seminal vesicle unites with the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.
Relations
Blood supply
- vesiculodeferential artery (also called artery to the
van defernsductus deferens) - from superior or inferior vesical arteries 3-4
Nerve supply
- sympathetic fibres from the testicular and hypogastric plexuses 4
Radiographic appearance
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 1.5cm in diameter, beyond that they can be considerd dilated 5
according to one publication the mean length was estimated to be around 3cm with the mean width at around 1.5cm 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
-</ul><h4>Blood supply</h4><ul><li>vesiculodeferential artery (also called artery to the van deferns) - from superior or inferior vesical arteries <sup>3-4</sup>- +</ul><h4>Blood supply</h4><ul><li>vesiculodeferential artery (also called <a title="artery to the ductus deferens" href="/articles/artery-to-the-ductus-deferens">artery to the ductus deferens</a>) - from <a title="Superior vesical artery" href="/articles/superior-vesical-artery-1">superior</a> or <a title="Inferior vesical artery" href="/articles/inferior-vesical-artery">inferior vesical arteries</a> <sup>3-4</sup>
-</ul><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/seminal-vesicle-cysts">seminal vesicle cysts</a></li></ul>- +</ul><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/seminal-vesicle-cyst-1">seminal vesicle cysts</a></li></ul>