Male Sex Accessory Ducts: Description, Characteristics, Function

What Are Male Accessory Ducts?

Generally, referring to the male accessory ducts implies the two ducts that transport sperm to the exterior of the body from the testes. The accessory ducts play significant roles associated with the process of reproduction and in semen formation.

Components Of Male Accessory Ducts

The components are:

Epididymis

• The epididymis is a twisted, long tube lying on the posterior aspect of each testis, and it serves as a reservoir for sperm and the actual site of maturation of the sperm.

• The epididymis is further divided into three parts. These are the head, body, and tail. The sperm that are formed in the testes are transported into the epididymis to undergo the process by which sperm are given the ability to move and the potential to fertilise an egg.

The Ductus Deferens

• The vas deferens is a muscular tube that carries mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

• The tube is about 30 cm in length and passes from the scrotum into the pelvic cavity, curving over the top of the bladder on its way to the base of joining the seminal vesicle.

• In addition, the vas deferens may also store sperm and may also be subjected to peristalsis, propelling sperm during ejaculation.

Ejaculatory Ducts

• The ejaculatory ducts are derived from the fusion of the vas deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle.

• The two ducts go separately into the gland of the prostate to evacuate the content into the urethra, which enables the motility of the sperm and the seminal fluid during ejaculation.

Urethra

• The urethra is the terminal duct of the male reproductive system. It is bi-functional; that is, it acts as the channel for both the urinary and reproductive tracts.

• It carries the urine from the bladder and semen from the reproductive system out of the body through the penis.

Functions Of Male Accessory Ducts

1. Sperm Transport: The basic main function of the accessory ducts is to transport the produced sperm from the testes to the urethra for ejaculation.

2. Sperm Maturation: The maturation of sperm occurs in the epididymis, which is aimed at developing the sperm's motility and acquiring the potential to fertilise an egg. Sperm becomes semen via the vas deferens and the ejaculatory ducts, which combine sperm with the seminal fluid of the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.

3. Ejaculation: The sperm are expelled during sexual arousal from the body by the accessory ducts contraction through the urethra.

Conclusion

The male sex accessory ducts form an integral part of the male reproductive system and play a very significant role in sperm transport, maturation, and the formation of semen. The structure and function of these male accessory ducts are, therefore, very important to appreciate issues concerning male reproductive health and/or related disorders.

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