THE EJACULATORY DUCTS 



1387 



ing vas deferens form the !ateral boundaries of a triangular space, limited behind 

 by the recto vesical peritoneal fold; the portion of the bladder included in this space 

 rests on the rectum. 



Each vesicle consists of a single tube, coiled upon itself and giving off several 

 irregular cecal diverticula (Fig. 1137), the separate coils, as well as the diverticula, 

 being connected by fibrous tissue. When uncoiled this tube is about the diameter 

 of a quill, and varies in length from four to six inches (10 to 15 cm.); it terminates 

 above in a cul-de-sac; its lower extremity becomes constricted into a narrow 

 straight duct, the excretory duct (ductus excretorius) (Fig. 1137), which joins with 

 the corresponding vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct. 



VCRUMONTANUM 



EXCRETORY 

 DUCT 



EJACULATOPV 

 DUCT 



SINUS 

 POCULARIS 



URETHRA 



FIG. 1137. The ejaculatory ducts viewed from in front and above. (Spalteholz.) 



Structure. The seminal vesicles are composed of three coats an external or fibrous 

 (tunica adventitia); a middle or muscular coat (tunica muscularis), which is thinner than in the 

 seminal duct, and is arranged in two layers, an outer, longitudinal, and an inner, circular; an 

 internal or mucous coat (tunica mucosa), which is usually thrown into waves or folds, and which 

 is pale, of a whitish-brown color, and of a delicate reticular structure, like that seen in the gall- 

 bladder. The epithelium is of the columnar variety, and, in the diverticula, goblet cells are 

 present, the secretion of which increases the bulk of the seminal fluid. 



Vessels and Nerves. The arteries supplying the seminal vesicles are derived from the 

 middle and inferior vesical and middle hemorrhoidal. The veins and lymphatics accompany 

 the arteries. The lymphatics anastomose on the surface of the vesicle. The trunks from this 

 network anastomose with the lymphatics of the bladder and prostate, and pass to the external 

 and internal iliac nodes. The nerves are derived from the pelvic plexus. 



Applied Anatomy. The seminal vesicles are often the seat of an extension of the disease 

 in cases of tuberculosis of the testis, and should always be examined through the rectum before 

 coming to a decision with regard to castration in this affection. The vesicles have been deliber- 

 ately extirpated for local tuberculosis. In gonorrhea the seminal vesicles may become acutely 

 inflamed (acute seminal vesiculitis}. Chronic seminal vesiculitis may follow the acute form or 

 may arise insidously during gonorrhea. 



THE EJACULATORY DUCTS (DUCTUS EJACULATORII) (Fig. 1137). 



The ejaculatory ducts are two in number, one on each side. Each duct is formed 

 by the junction of the duct of the seminal vesicle with the vas deferens. Each duct 

 is about three-quarters of an inch (2 cm.) in length; it commences at the base of 

 the prostate, and runs forward and downward between the middle and lateral 



