Seminal Vesicle

Abstract

There are three accessory glands of the male genital system: the seminal vesicles, the prostate and the bulbourethral glands. The seminal vesicles are paired structures on the posterolateral aspect of the base of the bladder. Their main function is to secrete fluid that will form part of the semen; secretions of the seminal vesicles contain nutrients for the spermatozoa such as fructose, as well as other proteins, enzymes, and mucus [1]. In fetal life, since spermatozoa are not yet developed, the physiological functions of the seminal vesicles are not necessary for the maintenance of life, but proper development of all the components of the male genital tract is important for future fertility. Aberrations of the proper development of the seminal vesicles such as agenesis, fusion, duplication, hypoplasia, diverticulum, and cysts [2] can be seen during fetal life, and can occur in association with other genitourinary tract anomalies due to the close embryological origin of these complex tissues. Therefore, knowledge of the normal development and histological appearance of the seminal vesicle during fetal life can be useful. This chapter reviews the embryology of the seminal vesicles and highlights the histological features of the fetal seminal vesicles at various points in gestation.