Ducts & Glands of male reproductive system PART2

1. Ms.Anu Sebastian: B.Pharm; M.Pharm
Assistant Professor,
Dept. Of Pharmacology
Nirmala College Of Pharmacy
Muvattupuzha,Ernakulam,Kerala

2. DUCTS
 EPIDIDYMIS
 DUCTUS DEFERENS/VAS DEFERENS
 EJACULATORY DUCTS
 URETHRA
EPIDIDYMIS
 It is a comma –shaped organ of 4cm length (highly coiled, on
straightening 6m)
 Location: Posterior border of testes
 It has 3 divisions:
 Head:connected to the testes receiving immature sperm
 Body: Narrow mid-portion
 Tail: Smaller, inferior portion. It is continous with ductus deferens.

4. Histology
 Inner: Pseudostratified ciliated columar epithelium & it
contains stereocilia (increase surface area)
 Outer : Many layers of smooth muscle fibres.
Functions:
 Maturation of sperm(10-14 days)
 Sperm becomes motile after maturation
 Deliver sperm to ductus deferens by peristalsis
 Storage of sperm upto 1 month

5. DUCTUS DEFERENS/VAS DEFERENS
 It begins at the tail of epididymis.
 Less convoluted with more diameter ;45cm length.
 Begins at tail of epidydimis –ascend along posterior
border of epidydimis – enter inguinal canal –enter pelvic
cavity –loops over ureter –posterior surface of urinary
bladder.
 Terminal portion is known as ampulla

6. Histology
 Inner layer is made up of Pseudosratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
 Outer layer consist of three coats of smooth muscle.
Functions
 storage of sperm upto several months.
 Convey sperm from epididymis to urethra
EJACULATORY DUCTS
 It is having 2cm length
 It is formed by the fusion of seminal vesicle & ampulla of Ductus deferens.
 It begins superior to prostate then moves inferior & anterior & terminate at
prostate urethra.

7. Functions
 Transport of sperm
 Deliver sperm to penile urethra just before ejaculation.
URETHRA
 It is the terminal duct of male reproductive system(20cm long).
 It is having three parts:
A) Prostate urethra: Pass through prostate gland.
B) Membraneous urethra: Pass through perinium & urogenital diaphragm.
C) Spongy /Penile Urethra: Pass throgh Corpus spongiosum of the penis.
 It terminates at the external urethral orifice.

9. ACCESSORY SEX GLANDS
 The accessory sex glands secrete semen.
 It includes : Seminal vesicle,P rostate gland & Bulbourethral gland
SEMINAL VESICLE
 Paired & convoluted pouch like structures.; 5cm length
 Location: Posterior to base of urinary bladder & anterior to rectum.
 Secretion: The viscous, alkaline fluid that constitute 60% of semen.
 It contains :- Fructose, Prostaglandins & clotting Proteins.

10.  Fructose: Utilized for ATP production in sperm
 Prostaglandins: Helps in sperm motility & viability.
 Clotting Proteins: Help semen to coagulate after ejaculation.
 Alkaline pH : Neutralize acidic pH in male urethra & female reproductive
tract,
PROSTATE GLAND
 Single,doughnut shaped gland.
 3cm length,4cm width & 2 cm thickness.
 Location: inferior to urinary bladder & surrounds prostate urethra.

11. Secretion
 Milky ,slightly acidic fluid (pH-6.5)
 It constitute 25% of total volume of semen; helps in sperm motility
& viability.
 It contains citric acid.Proteolytic enzymes, Acid phosphatase.
 Citric acid: Used in sperm for ATP production by TCA cycle.
 Proteolytic enzymes: Includes prostate specific antigen
pepsinogen,lysozyme,amylase & hyaluronidase.
 It break down the clotting proteins from seminal vesicle.
 The secretion enters into prostatic urethra.

12. BULBOURETHRAL GLAND/COWPERS GLAND
 Paired glands with the size of pea.
 Location: Inferior to prostate & on either sides of
membraneous urethra.
 Secretion : Alkaline fluid with mucous & galacose
 Galactose: ATP production
 Alkalinity: Neutralizes acid from urine
 Mucous : Lubricates the end of penis & lining of urethra.
 The secretions of Bulbourethral gland drains spongy urethra.

13. THANK YOU