Objectives • Define the male accessory glands • Know the brief gross anatomy of seminal vesicles and

prostate • Have the knowledge of histological different layers of

seminal vesicles• Mention the glandular and stromal tissues of seminal

vesicles• Describe the location, different histological zones of

prostate with imporatnce of each zone • Discuss the glandular and stromal tissues of prostate •

Male Accessory Gland The male accessory gland are

those gland which add their secretion in to the seminal fluid and provide nutrition, protection and penetration of mature spermatozoa with in the female genital tract and also lubricate the male genital tract

Seminal Vesicles (Paired)Prostate (unpaired)Bulbourethral glands (Paired)

Brief Gross Anatomy of Seminal Vesicles Seminal vesicles is an

accessory gland of the male reproductive system that develops as a blind-ended tubular outgrowth from the ductus deferens.

Embryologically the seminal vesicles are developed from the mesonephric duct on each side that why this glands are consists of convoluted tubules surrounded by the thick fibrous capsule

Brief Gross Anatomy of Seminal Vesicles The tube is coiled with

numerous pocket-like outgrowths and is encapsulated by connective tissue to form an elongate structure situated between the bladder and rectum.

The gland is immediately lateral to, and follows the course of, the ductus deferens at the base of the bladder.

The duct of the seminal vesicle joins the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct. Secretions from the seminal vesicle contribute significantly to the volume of the ejaculate (semen).

Histology of Seminal Vesicles Each seminal vesicle is a

complex glandular diverticulum of the associated ductus deferens. Between them the seminal vesicles secrete up to 85% of the total volume of seminal fluid, most of the rest being secreted by the prostate gland. The lumen of each seminal vesicle is highly irregular and recessed, giving a honeycombed appearance at low magnification. s

Epithelium of Seminal Vesicles

The epithelial lining is usually of a pseudostratified tall columnar type and consists of secretory cells with lipid droplets in the cytoplasm giving it a foamy appearance. The seminal vesicles produce a yellowish viscid alkaline fluid containing a wide range of substances, including fructose, fibrinogen, vitamin C and prostaglandins. The epithelial cells often contain brown lipofuscin granules and characteristically have rather variable nuclear shape and size.

Muscular Layer of Seminal Vesicles The prominent muscular

wall is arranged into inner circular and outer longitudinal layers and is supplied by the sympathetic nervous system; during ejaculation, muscle contraction forces secretions from the seminal vesicles into the urethra via the ampullae.

Prostate Gland The prostate is an

unpaired accessory structure of the male reproductive system that surrounds the urethra in the pelvic cavity. It lies immediately inferior to the bladder, posterior to the pubic symphysis, and anterior to the rectum.

Seminal Vesicle

Prostate Gland Cont….. The prostate is shaped like an

inverted rounded cone with a larger base, which is continuous above with the neck of the bladder, and a narrower apex, which rests below on the pelvic floor. The inferolateral surfaces of the prostate are in contact with the levator ani muscles that together cradle the prostate between them.

Classification of Prostate Gland The prostate consists of

branched tubulo-acinar glands embedded in a fibromuscular stroma. There is a partial capsule enclosing the posterior and lateral aspects of the prostate but the anterior and apical surfaces are bounded by the anterior fibromuscular stroma, a part of the gland consisting, as the name implies, only of collagenous stroma and muscle fibres.

Classification of zones of Prostate In the past the prostate

was described as consisting of a number of ill-defined lobes. However, this terminology has been replaced by the concept of prostate zones and the gland is now described as consisting of four zones of unequal size:

Zones of Prostate The transition zone surrounds

the proximal prostatic urethra and comprises about 5% of the glandular tissue.

The central zone (20%) surrounds the ejaculatory ducts.

The peripheral zone makes up the bulk of the gland (approximately 70%).

The anterior fibromuscular stroma contains no glandular tissue and lies anteriorly.

Clinical Anatomy of Prostate The different zones of the

prostate are important because they tend to be the sites of different disease processes. Most cases of carcinoma of the prostate arise in the peripheral zone while the transition zone harbours almost all cases of benign nodular hyperplasia.

Low Power View of Prostate At low power view of the

prostate shows the general architectural features of the gland. The urethra lies centrally surrounded by a fibrous stroma. The ejaculatory ducts also lie in this central stroma as they course towards their junction with the prostatic urethra. The zones of the prostate are not clearly demarcated from each other anatomically. Partial fibrous septa separate the gland into lobules.

Low Power View of Prostate The transition zone surrounds

the first part of the prostatic urethra. The central zone lies posterior to the transition zone and encircles the ejaculatory ducts. The peripheral zone makes up the main bulk of the gland. The ducts of the peripheral zone glands empty into the posterolateral recesses of the urethra on either side of the verumontanum (urethral crest) .

Low Power View of Prostate

At low power the anterior fibromuscular stroma appears continuous with the capsule and its content of muscle fibers cannot be discriminated.

Histology of Prostate The prostate gland is

composed of: Glandular Tissue

(parenchyma) Stroma (Connective

Tissues) The supporting stroma is a

mixture of collagenous fibrous tissue and smooth muscle fibers.

Glandular Tissue (parenchyma)The glands show a

convoluted pattern with the epithelium thrown up into folds. The secretory product of the prostate, is a thin liquid rich in citric acid and proteolytic enzymes, including fibrinolysins, which liquefies coagulated semen after it has been deposited in the vagina.

Histology of Prostate at Higher Magnification This higher magnification

picture shows the detail of the epithelium of the prostate glands. The main epithelial type is the tall columnar secretory cell with prominent round basal nuclei and pale-staining cytoplasm. There is also a scanty population of small flat basal cells at the base of the gland, in contact with the basement membrane. The glands contain small beads of secretion on the luminal surface.

Corpora Amylacea Condense secretions

may accumulate in some glands for long time become the to form spherical concretions (corpora amylacea), which increase in number with age and may become calcified.