[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Seminal vesicles

[Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Male](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/)

# Seminal vesicles

The seminal vesicles are two coiled glands behind the bladder; they make most of the fluid of semen, rich in fructose that feeds the sperm.

Official name: Seminal gland

[See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=male&select=seminal_glands&side=r)

Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.

## What it is

Two coiled, sac-like glands, about 5 cm long, behind the bladder and above the prostate.

## What it does

Make most of the fluid of semen (rich in fructose, an energy source for sperm); each joins a ductus deferens to form an ejaculatory duct.

## Key points

- Despite the old name they do not store sperm: they secrete fluid, including the proteins that make semen clot before prostatic PSA liquefies it
- Invasion by prostate cancer is stage T3b and worsens the outlook; they are removed with the prostate in radical prostatectomy
- Only their upper tips are covered by the [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/) of the rectovesical pouch; the rest lies below it on the back of the bladder

## Key facts

**Where**
Paired coiled sacs behind the bladder base and above the prostate, lateral to the ampullae of the ductus deferens; in front of the rectum

**Blood supply**
Inferior vesical and middle rectal arteries; artery to the ductus deferens

**Nerve**
Pelvic plexus: sympathetic fibres (T10–L2) contract its smooth muscle at emission

**Function**
Alkaline, fructose-rich fluid that makes up most of the semen volume (about 60–70%); its duct joins the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct; invasion by prostate cancer raises the stage

## Relations

**In front**
Back (base) of the [urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/)

**Behind**
[Rectum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectum/), separated by the rectoprostatic (Denonvilliers) fascia

**Medial**
Ampullae of the [ductus deferens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ductus-deferens/), which lie between the two vesicles

**Below**
Base of the [prostate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/prostate/), where each duct joins a ductus deferens to form an [ejaculatory duct](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ejaculatory-duct/)

**Above**
[Ureters](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/), which reach the bladder near their upper tips, and the [rectovesical pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectovesical-pouch/)

## How to find it

Usually out of reach on digital rectal examination; when enlarged, firm or invaded by tumour they may be felt above the prostate.

## On imaging

Transrectal ultrasound shows them as paired, symmetric structures above the prostate, like a bow tie. On T2-weighted MRI they are bright and convoluted; loss of that bright signal, a mass or asymmetry suggests invasion by prostate cancer. Dilated vesicles can point to ejaculatory duct obstruction.

## Common problems

- Rarely diseased on their own; they can be inflamed together with the prostate.
- Prostate cancer can spread into them, which changes its stage.

## How it is diagnosed

MRI of the prostate; transrectal ultrasound.

## Treatment

- Removed together with the prostate in a radical prostatectomy.

## Clinical notes

- Blood in the semen (haematospermia) usually comes from the seminal vesicles or prostate and in young men is mostly benign
- Their tips lie close to the pelvic plexus, so their dissection in prostatectomy can harm the nerves of erection

## Anatomical variants

- Agenesis is rare and often comes with other mesonephric anomalies on the same side, such as renal agenesis; a seminal vesicle cyst with an absent [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) on that side is Zinner syndrome

## Development

Bud from the lower end of the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct, which also gives the ureteric bud; this explains their link with kidney and ureter anomalies on the same side.

## Related conditions

- [Prostate cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostate-cancer/)
- [Prostatitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostatitis/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Do the seminal vesicles store sperm?

No; they secrete alkaline, fructose-rich fluid making up most of the semen volume, including proteins that make semen clot.

## What stage does seminal vesicle invasion by prostate cancer represent?

T3b; it worsens the outlook, and the vesicles are removed with the prostate in radical prostatectomy.

## What is Zinner syndrome?

A seminal vesicle cyst with an absent kidney on the same side, reflecting their shared mesonephric (Wolffian) duct origin.

## Where does haematospermia usually come from, and what is its usual nature in young men?

From the seminal vesicles or prostate; in young men it is mostly benign.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/seminal-gland/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
glandula vesiculosa

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Glándula seminal

**English (TA2)**
Seminal gland

**Also called**
seminal vesicle · seminal glands

## Related

- [Urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/)
- [Rectovesical pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectovesical-pouch/)
- [Ejaculatory ducts](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ejaculatory-duct/)
- [Ductus deferens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ductus-deferens/)
- [Pelvic plexus and cavernous nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-hypogastric-plexus/)
- [Internal iliac arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-iliac-artery/)
- [Inferior vesical and prostatic arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vesical-artery-prostatic-branches/)

Sources: [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Seminal Vesicle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499854/).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/seminal-gland/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/seminal-gland/