Prostate Gland & Seminal Vesicles - Chapter 19

What kind of gland are the Seminal Vesicles?

Accessory and paired glands

The Seminal Vesicles lie posterior to the _______________.

Urinary Bladder

The Seminal Vesicles lie superior to the _____________.

Prostate gland

The Seminal Vesicles lie medial to the ___________.

Right and left ureters

Each seminal vesicle angles ____________ towards the apex of the bladder.

Medially

What is the approximant size of the seminal vesicles?

5 cm in length, and less than 1 cm in diameter

What kind of structures are seminal vesicles?

Convoluted (coiled tubes), pouchlike structures

Where do the seminal vesicles drain into?

The distal portion of the ductus (vas) deferens

When the seminal vesicles join the ductus (vas) deferens, they form the

Ejaculatory ducts

What structure is the black arrow pointing at?

Seminal Vesicle

What is semen?

Fluid that consists of sperm

The prostate gland and seminal vesicles secrete ___________?

Alkaline fluids that contribute to sperm viability

What is the function of the fluid that is produced by the prostate gland?

Neutralizes the acid environment of the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes, where neutralization of the ovum takes place

The alkaline fluids contribute between __________ of the volume of semen.

13 - 33 %

Semen can also be described as …

The secretion caused by the prostate and seminal vesicles, and other glands

What does the seminal vesicles secrete?

A viscous fluid rich in fructose

The viscous fluids contribute between __________ of the volume of semen.

60%

The prostate gland is what type of gland?

Accessory

What are the layers of the prostate gland?

Glandular parenchyma & Connective tissue

The prostate gland is anterior to the ___________.

Rectum

The prostate gland is inferior to the ___________.

Urinary bladder, ejaculatory duct, & seminal vesicles

The prostate gland is surrounds the ___________.

Prostatic urethra

Secretion aids in sperm in two ways…

Motility & Fertility

When we are scanning the prostate gland, what are we looking for?

The size of the gland

Prostatic ducts empty into the…

Prostatic urethra

What is the normal size of the prostate gland?

3.8 cm (length) x 3 cm (AP) x 4 cm (width)

What does hypertrophy mean?

Enlarged

Unlike most organs, the prostate sometimes ___________ with age.

Enlarges

What might an enlarged prostate cause?

• Obstructed urine flow

• Masks prostatic cancer (malignant tumors)

• Benign changes

• Infections

What is the shape of the prostate gland?

Cone with a central core, prostatic urethra

The tip of the cone, or apex is the ____________ of the prostate and provides an exit for the _________.

Inferior margin, urethra

The base of the prostate gland is the ___________.

Superior aspect, which is in contact with the urinary bladder

The prostate is perforated by ____________.

Two ejaculatory ducts

Where do the ejaculatory ducts enter and course?

• Enter ~ prostate at its posterior margin

• Course ~ obliquely and anterior

What is the verumontanum?

Area close to the center of the prostate

Where does the ejaculatory ducts join the prostatic urethra?

Near the verumontanum

What zones make up the glandular prostate?

• Peripheral zone

• Central zone

• Transition zone

• Periurethral glandular zone

What is the largest zone of the glandular prostate?

Peripheral zone (70%)

Where is the peripheral zone located?

An area lateral and posterior to the distal prostatic urethra

What percentage forms the central zone?

20% of the glandular prostate

Where is the central zone located?

On the superior edge bordering the bladder and seminal vesicles

What structure courses through the central zone?

Ejaculatory ducts

What percentage forms the transition zone?

5% of glandular prostate

Where is the transition zone located?

Two lobes situated on the lateral aspects of the proximal prostatic urethra superior to the verumontanum

What forms the periurethral glandular zone?

Tissue that lines the proximal prostatic urethra

What components make up the male pelvis?

• Seminal vesicles

• Prostate

• Urethra/Penis

What is the prostate surrounded by?

Thin capsule consisting of dense fibrous tissue and smooth muscle

The thin capsule connects what?

Muscle layers of the prostatic urethra

What is the prostatic urethra divided by?

The verumontanum (area near the center of the prostate) into proximal and distal segments

What is this structure?

Prostate Gland

What is this structure?

Prostate Gland

What is this structure?

Prostate Gland

What is this structure?

Prostate Gland