The seminal vesicles are a pair of coiled, sac-like glands about 5 cm long lying behind the bladder and above the prostate. Each joins the end of the vas deferens to form an ejaculatory duct. They make about 60-70% of the volume of semen.
| Location | Posterior to the bladder base, anterior to the rectum, lateral to the ampullae of the vasa deferentia |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Inferior hypogastric plexus |
| Blood Supply | Inferior vesical artery; Middle rectal artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Secretes a viscous alkaline fluid rich in fructose and prostaglandins that forms most of the volume of semen.
Their fructose-rich, alkaline fluid gives sperm energy and helps neutralise the acidity of the vagina. Low semen volume with no fructose suggests absence or blockage of the seminal vesicles or ejaculatory ducts. They can sometimes be felt on rectal examination when enlarged, and prostate cancer spreading into them signals more advanced disease.
Spread of prostate cancer into the seminal vesicles, which raises the cancer stage and affects treatment.
Infection of the seminal vesicles, often with prostatitis, causing pelvic pain and blood in the semen.
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