Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

Ductus deferens (Vas deferens)

Twenty-five cm long

Connects tail of epididymis to ejaculatory duct

Course:

Commences at tail of epididymis

Travels in spermatic cord (where it can be palpated) through superficial inguinal ring and through inguinal canal

Emerges at deep inguinal ring and crosses over external iliac vessels to run along the lateral pelvic wall

Crosses above and medial to the ureter where it becomes dilated and forms the ampulla

Ampullae converge with each other on the posterior aspect of the bladder and narrow before uniting with duct of the seminal vesicle

to form ejaculatory duct

Ejaculatory duct opens into the prostatic urethra

Blood supply: Branch of inferior vesical artery = deferential artery

Venous drainage: Deferential vein(s) to prostatic venous plexus to internal iliac veins.

Seminal vesicles

Elongated, coiled structures between fundus of bladder and rectum

Separated from rectum by rectovesical pouch

Do not store sperm

Secrete alkaline fluid that mixes with sperms in ejaculatory ducts and urethra

Duct of each seminal vesicle joins ductus deferens to form ejaculatory duct

Supplied by branches and tributaries of inferior and middle rectal vessels

Ejaculatory ducts

Formed from union of ductus deferens with duct of seminal vesicle

Short, approximately 2.5 cm

Converge and open on seminal colliculus of prostatic urethra as two slits

Supplied by deferential arteries

Drained by prostatic and vesical plexuses

Prostate
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Encapsulated gland surrounding urethra between neck of bladder and pelvic floor

Directly behind inferior edge of pubic symphysis

Composed of

Two lateral lobes

Anterior lobe or isthmus connecting lateral lobes anteriorly

Posterior lobe below ejaculatory ducts and posterior to urethra

Middle lobe between urethra and ejaculatory ducts

Contains glands that produce 20% of volume of semen

Ducts of glands combine to form prostatic ducts opening into prostatic sinuses on either side of seminal colliculus in prostatic urethra

Dense fascia sheath outside capsule contains prostatic venous plexus that drains to internal iliac veins

Supplied by prostatic arteries from several sources including internal iliac or inferior vesical arteries