seminal vesicle

The seminal vesicles are two lobulated membranous pouches, placed between the bottom of the bladder and the rectum, obliquely above the prostate, which prepare a fluid to be added to the secretion of the testes. It is about 7.5 cm long. The ventral surface is in contact with the bottom of the bladder, extending from the ureter to the base of the prostate.

The seminal vesicles secrete a fluid that contains fructose (monosaccharide sugar), prostaglandins, and clotting proteins (vitamin C). The alkaline nature of the fluid helps neutralize the acidic environment of the male urethra and female genital tract, which would otherwise inactivate and kill sperm. The fluid secreted by the seminal vesicles normally constitutes 60% of the semen volume.

ANTERIOR VIEW OF THE SEMINAL VESICLE

Source: NETTER, Frank H.. Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd edition Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2000.

SIDE VIEW OF THE SEMINAL VESICLE

Source: NETTER, Frank H.. Atlas of Human Anatomy. 2nd edition Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2000.