Biology

Seminal Vesicles and Bulbourethral Glands as Male Accessory Sex Organs

len Alfred Ajibola - Mon, 02nd March, 2020 @ 18:05

Topics in Biology

Hindbrain: Medulla Oblongata and its features Food web explained with examples Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, First Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 2nd Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 3rd Term Seminal Vesicles and Bulbourethral Glands as Male Accessory Sex Organs Male Reproductive System: Scrotum and its contents Brain: Introduction to the Human Brain Forebrain: Lobes of the Cerebrum and their Functions Cerebellum: Parts and Functions of the Cerebellum Midbrain: Division and Functions of the Midbrain Negative Feedback Mechanism in Homeostasis Arterial Disorders: Characteristics and Causes of Arterial Disorders Types of Desert and their Characteristics Characteristics of Tropical Rainforest Swamp Forest: What are Swamp Forests? Characteristics of Swamp Forests Savanna: Savanna and Grassland explained Savanna - Types of Savanna Tropical Savanna and Temperate Savanna with their Characteristics

Academic Questions in Biology

Please check out our Test Your Knowledge page to see all Questions and Answers

Cold blooded animals are referred to as _____.

  • A. Homeotherms

  • B. Endotherms

  • C. Poilokitherms

  • D. Ectotherms

  • E. Thermotherms

  • F. None of the above

All reptiles are vertebrates.

  • A. True

  • B. False

_____ cells are responsible for the formation of osteoblasts.

  • A. Osteocytes

  • B. Chondrocytes

  • C. Chondroblasts

  • D. Osteoclasts

  • E. Osteoprogenitor cells

  • F. Osteoblastic

_____ is a bone that constitute the axial skeleton.

  • A. Clavicle

  • B. Scapula

  • C. Patella

  • D. Radius

  • E. Sternum

  • F. Femur

Which of the following is false concerning cartilages and bones?

  • A. Cartilage does not have a direct blood supply while bones have direct blood supply

  • B. The process of ossification replaces a cartilage to bone

  • C. The protein that makes up cartilage is called chondrin while that that makes up bone is called ossein

  • D. Cartilage grows from both ends while bones grow from one of its epiphysis

  • E. They both have living cells within them

  • F. Haversian system is absent in cartilage but present in bones

A diagram showing the movement of energy through a food chain is called a _____.

  • A. Food Chain

  • B. Food Web

  • C. Food Energy

  • D. Food Link

  • E. Food Flow

  • F. Food Pyramid

Which of the following is NOT a part of the wrist bones (or carpal bones)?

  • A. Cuboid

  • B. Scaphoid

  • C. Hamate

  • D. Triquetral

  • E. Pisiform

  • F. Trapezium

The statements below are true concerning arteries except _____.

  • A. The arterial wall has 4 layers

  • B. Tunica Adventitia is the outermost layer of an artery

  • C. Aorta is the largest artery in the human body

  • D. Pulmunary artery conveys deoxygenated blood

  • E. Internal bleeding will occur when a deeply located artery is broken

  • F. Arterial vascular disorders are worsened in people with diabetes and renal failure

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What are the Male Accessory Sex Organs?

Semen produced by males require the active functions of the male accessory sex organs to become properly formed. In fact, without these accessory organs, sperms present within the semen may become unable to fertilize an ova or egg within the fallopian tube (or oviduct) of the female reproductive system.

To better comprehend the distinctions between semen and sperm, Please read on the male reproductive system (scrotum and its contents) here.

The accessory male reproductive organs include the followings:

  1. Seminal Vesicles

  2. Prostate Gland

    Please read on the Male Accessory Sex Organs (Prostate Glands) and Ejaculatory Ducts here.

  3. Bulbourethral Glands or Cowper's Glands

The focus of this article will be on the seminal vesicles and and Bulbourethral Glands as male accessory sex organs:

 

  • Seminal Vesicles

A male has a pair of seminal vesicles (vesicula seminalis) located just above the prostrate gland; and posterior to the base of the urinary bladder.

Below is an image showing the anatomical position of the seminal vesicle:

Seminal Vesicle - Len Academy

The main function of the seminal vesicle is to add viscous and alkaline secretions to the sperm already present in the ejaculatory ducts.

The secretions or fluid of the seminal vesicle does the following:

  • The alkalinity of this fluid helps to neutralize any acidity produced in the environment of the urethra. (The acidity of the urethral environment may result from the passage of acidic urine through it).
    You can read on the Concepts and Definitions of Acid here.

  • The secretions of the seminal vesicles also neutralizes the acidic environment of the vagina, hence fostering sperm survival within it.

The seminal fluid is composed up of the followings:

1. Fructose

This is a simple sugar that's used for ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate) generation.

ATP is the energy essential for sperm motility. This is important because the sperms may swim upwards (against gravity) in the female reproductive tract.

For now, think of ATP as the energy currency of the body.

Please read on Carbohydrates and Sugars here.


2. Prostaglandins

They reduce the negative effects of the female immune system that may act upon the sperm cells. This process increasing the chances of a sperm's survival in the female reproductive tract.

Please read on Immunization here.


3. Semenogelin

This fluid creates a gel like structure around the sperm, thus protecting it. The appearance of semen is largely attributed to the viscosity of the semenogelin.

 

  • Bulbourethral Glands

They are also called the Cowper’s gland.

The bulbourethral glands are two pea like shaped organs located just below the prostate gland and at the beginning (or root) of the penis.

Please read on Male Reproductive System (Penis and Parts of the Penis) here.

The anatomical position of the bulbourethral glands are shown in the diagram below:

Cowper's Gland - Len Academy

In addition to the prostate and seminal fluids, the bulbourethral glands also secrete fluid into the semen during the process of ejaculation. The fluid from the bulbourethral glands serve the following functions:

  • The fluid is clear and thick, functioning to lubricate the urethra. The semen flows out of the penis through the lubricated urethra.

  • It is also considered that the bulbourethral secretions creates a better condition for sperm cells to survive.

Note: Although the urethra isn't considered a part of the male accessory reproductive gland, it still performs a vital role in the male reproductive system.

You can read on the Introduction to Human Brain here.


Below is a summarized explanation on the urethra:

  • Urethra

The male urethra is a single tube-like structure that serves two functions. These are:

  1. Micturition. (The act of urinating).

  2. Conduction and Movement of semen during ejaculation.

In males, the urethra is a narrow fibro-muscular tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior. It also conducts semen from the ejaculatory ducts to the exterior.

Male Urethra - Len Academy

The conduction on urine and semen through the urethra does not occur simultaneously.

The male urethra is about 7 to 8 inches in length; and it runs through the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and the entire length of the penis before emptying its content to the exterior.

The urethra has three sections. These are:

1. Prostatic Urethra: This is the uppermost portion of the urethra. It lies inside the prostate gland.

3. Membranous Urethra: This is the segment within the urethral sphincter. It is important to state that urine or semen can only come out singly (one at a time); and that's when the membranous urethra is opened.

3. Spongy or Penile Urethra: This is the lowest and longest section of the urethra. It lies within the entire length of the penis, leading to the exterior. (Please see the image above)

Note: The exterior opening of the urethra is also called the external urethral orifice or meatus.

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Alfred Ajibola is a Medical Biochemist, a passionate Academician with over 7 years of experience, a Versatile Writer, a Web Developer, a Cisco Certified Network Associate and a Cisco CyberOps Associate.

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For a thing to be considered Living, it must possess all the Basic Characteristics of Life. These include:

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Please read the explanations on all the Basic Characteristics of Life here

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A food Chain is a diagram that shows the relationship between plants and animals within a habitat on the basis of how they rely on each other for food.

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