Question

What are the functions of the epididymis and the seminal vesicles?

Answer 1

Epididymis is a long tube that is located near each testicle. The epididymis is the tube which moves the sperm from the testicles. Whereas the seminal vesicles are the sac-like glands that lie behind the bladder and release a fluid that forms part of semen.

Complete answer:
Epididymis: It is around six metre long coiled which is found in the poster lateral side of each testes.
It is divided into three parts:
i) Upper head or caput epididymis or Globus major — This part is wide and receives vasa efferentia.
ii. Corpus epididymis or Globus minor or body – It stores sperms for a short duration, which undergoes maturation. It lies in the lateral side of the testes.
iii. Cauda epididymis or Globus minor or tail – Before entering the vas deferens the spermatozoa is stored here. This part lies on the caudal side of the testes and is wide.

Seminal vesicles is an accessory sex glands of male. They are convoluted, glandular sacs of 4cm in length. They are lined by pseudo stratified epithelium and lie near the ampulla of the vasa deferentia. It provides seminal fluid, which is an alkaline and viscous. Fructose provides energy to the sperm cells and prostaglandin stimulate vaginal contraction which helps in the fusion of gametes.

Note:
The male reproductive system consists of a large number of sex organs that plays a vital role in the human reproduction. These organs are either present outside the abdominal cavity i.e scrotal sac and panis or inside the pelvis. The main sex organs are the panis and the testicles which produce sperm and semen.