2.

Accessory Ducts
Epididymis
It is a about 6-7 metres long, highly coiled, narrow and tubular structure present on the lateral side of
the testis.
The epididymis is divided into three parts
Head of epididymis is called Caput [also called Globus Major]
Body of epididymis is called corpus.
And tail of epididymis is called cauda [Also called Globus Minor]
Epididymis is involved in Storage, nutrition and functional maturation of the sperms.

[In functional maturation-Some special inhibitory proteins bind to the surface of the sperm and
prevent its motility in order to conserve energy of the sperm.
Layer of Cholesterol is formed at the apex of the sperm.]

Vas deferens(Sperm Duct)

It is a long (40cm) tube like structure which emerges from cauda epididymis and moves through inguinal canal
and enters the abdominal cavity, passes over the ureter and joins the duct coming from seminal vesicle to form
ejaculatory duct.

Vas deferens conducts the sperms upwards by peristaltic movement during ejaculation.

[Note- Vas deferens and Epididymis develop from the wolffian duct of mesonephros.]
 3.Male Accessory Glands
In man there are three types of accessory reproductive glands

1.Seminal Vesicles:- These are one pair of sac like structures present near the base of
the bladder. The duct from seminal vesicle joins with the vas deferens to form ejaculatory duct.
They produce an alkaline secretion which forms 60-70% of the volume of semen. The secretion
of seminal vesicles contains fructose [source of energy for sperm],citrate, inositol,
prostaglandins, fibrinogen.

2.Prostate gland
It is a single, large gland that surrounds the urethra and is present just below the urinary
bladder. It has five lobes. Each lobe opens into prostatic urethra through many fine apertures.
It produces a milky secretion which forms 25-30% of the volume of semen. Secretion of the
prostate gland contains calcium, phosphate, bicarbonate, Profibrinolysin[Liquefication of
sperm again] etc. which nourishes and activates the spermatozoa to swim.

3. Cowper’s Glands
These are a pair, present on either side of membranous urethra. It contributes 3-5% to
semen. These glands secrete an alkaline fluid. Their ducts open into urethra and neutralizes
acids from urine in the urethra. They also secrete mucus that lubricates the end of penis and
lining of the urethra.
Urethra:-It is a tubular duct which originates from the neck of the urinary bladder and opens
to the exterior at the tip pf penis by a urinogenital aperture or penile meatus,

Urethra is 19-20 cm long. It is a common pathway for passage of urine and semen. It is
therefore part of the male reproductive system.

Urethra is differentiated into four parts.

1. Urinary urethra-It is the part of the urethra which carries only urine. It lies between urinary bladder and
point of union with ejaculatory duct.

2. Prostatic urethra –It is part of urethra that lies inside prostate gland from the area it is joined by ejaculatory
ducts. It receives several fine ducts from prostate gland.

3. Membranous urethra- It is portion of urethra which is uncovered and lies between prostate gland and penis.
Membranous urethra receives ducts from bulbourethral glands.

4. Penile urethra-It is also called spongiose urethra because it is present inside corpus spongiosum of penis. Penile
urethra is the longest part of the urethra. It opens to the outside at the tip of penis at urinogenital aperture,
penile or urethral meatus.

Urethra has two sphincters

a) Internal sphincter. It lies at the neck of the urinary bladder and is involuntary in nature
b) External sphincter- It is present in the membranous part of the urethra and is voluntary in
nature.