BIO 12D Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium, Vas Deferens, Seminal Vesicle
Document Summary
The vagina has a highly acidic environment to prevent bacterial growth. Sperm cannot survive in this type of environment, so an alkaline secretion called seminal fluid is needed to lessen the acidity of the vagina and bring ph values closer to neutral. As the sperm travel through the reproductive tract (a process that can take several days), they are nourished by nutrients within the seminal fluid. The components of seminal fluid are produced by accessory glands: seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands. Seminal vesicles - the paired seminal vesicles are located on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder adjacent to the ampulla of the ductus deferens. Each seminal vesicle is an elongated, pouchlike hollow organ approximately 5 8 centimeters long. Wall of vesicle contains mucosal folds of pseudostratified columnar epithelium. It is the proximal portion of each seminal vesicle that merges with a ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.