SEMINAL PASSAGES. 



279 



SEMINAL VESICLES AND EJACULATORY DUCTS. 



The seminal vesicles grow out from the ductus deferentes at the 

 prostatic ends of their ampullae. Each consists of a number of saccular 

 expansions arranged along the main outgrowth which is irregularly coiled. 

 The lining of the sacs is honeycombed with folds as shown in Figs. 317 

 and 318. The epithelium is generally simple or two layered, the height 

 of the cells varying with the distention of the vesicles by secretion. Gran- 

 ules occur in the cells, which produce a clear gelatinous secretion in sago- 



-ep. 



-t. P . 



* d.e. 



FIG. 317. SEMINAL VESICLE AND DUCTUS DEF- 

 ERENS. (This is natural size.) (After Eberth.) 



ad., Adventitia; am., ampulla; d., diverticulum ; 

 d. d., ductus deferens; d. e., ductus ejacula- 

 torius; m., muscularis; s. v., seminal vesicle; 

 t. p., tunica propria. 



FIG. 318. VERTICAL SECTION OF THE WALL OF 



A SEMINAL VESICLE. (After Kolliker.) 



ep., Simple epithelium; g., gland-like depression; 



m., muscularis; t. p., tunica propria. 



like masses. Spermatozoa are generally found in the human vesicles, but 

 except during sexual excitement they are absent from the vesicles of 

 rodents; this and other facts indicate that the function of the organ is 

 primarily glandular. Pigment granules in varying quantity occur in the 

 epithelial cells and in the underlying connective tissue. They may im- 

 part a brownish color to the secretion. 



The ductus ejaculatorii on their dorso-median side are beset with a 

 series of appendages which do not project externally, but are wholly en- 



