The main difference between seminal vesicle and prostate gland is that the seminal vesicle is a pair of two convoluted glands lying behind the urinary bladder, whereas the prostate gland is an accessory gland of the male reproductive system occurring below the bladder.
The seminal vesicle and prostate gland are two types of organs that occur in the male reproductive system of male mammals. The main function of both organs is to produce fluid that forms part of the semen.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Seminal Vesicle
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Prostate Gland
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Prostate Gland, Seminal Vesicle
What is Seminal Vesicle
The seminal vesicle is a 3-5 cm long sac behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. The other names for seminal vesicles include the seminal glands or vesicular glands. They are glands that produce seminal fluid that will turn into semen. The primary function of the seminal vesicles is to be a part of the male reproductive system in mammals. The seminal vesicles contain both glandular and muscular tissue. Muscular tissue contractions in the seminal fluid move the semen through the penis. Moreover, 50% to 80% of the fluid in the semen consists of seminal fluid. The main function of the seminal fluid is to keep the sperm alive inside the vagina.
Figure 1: Seminal Vesicles
Furthermore, seminal fluid contains prostaglandins, fructose, and clotting factors. Prostaglandins in the seminal fluid keep the vagina from seeing sperm as an invader. Meanwhile, the fructose in the seminal fluid provides energy for the sperms. Clotting factors keep the sperm alive. In addition, seminal fluid protects the sperm from the acidic environment in the vagina.
What is Prostate Gland
The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system located just below the bladder. It is a walnut-sized gland that runs through the urethra. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. During ejaculation, the prostate gland squeezes the fluid into the urethra.
Figure 2: Prostate Gland
Moreover, the disorders of the prostate gland include prostatitis, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer. Prostatitis is the inflammation in the prostate gland caused by infections. Typically, it can be treated with antibiotics. An enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, an overgrowth of the prostate gland pushing against the urethra and bladder, blocking the flow of urine. However, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in males.
Similarities Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland
- The seminal vesicle and the prostate gland are two types of organs that occur in the male reproductive system of mammals.
- They are internal reproductive organs.
- Their main function is to produce fluid as a part of the semen.
Difference Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland
Definition
Seminal vesicle refers to each of a pair of glands that open into the vas deferens near its junction with the urethra and secrete many of the components of semen, while the prostate gland refers to a gland surrounding the neck of the bladder in male mammals and releasing a fluid component of semen.
Location
The seminal vesicle in the pelvis is superior to the rectum and inferior to the fundus of the bladder, and posterior to the prostate, while the prostate gland is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Size
The size of the seminal vesicle is around 3 to 5 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter, while the size of the prostate gland is about the size of a walnut.
Anatomy
Each seminal vesicle is a single, coiled, blind-ending tube giving off several irregular pouches while the prostate gland is a dense fibromuscular gland, and its shape is like an inverted cone having a base above surrounding the neck of the urinary bladder, apex below situated on the external urethral sphincter.
Fluid Contains
The fluid of the seminal vesicle contains fructose, ascorbic acid, and prostaglandin, while the fluid of the prostate gland contains phosphate, lysozymes, citrate, spermin, fibrinolysin, etc.
The Function of the Fluid
The fluid produced by the seminal fluid protects sperms from the acidic environment of the vagina while the fluid produced by the prostate gland promotes sperm production and prevents sperm coagulation.
Disorders
The seminal vesicle disorders include seminal vesicle stones, infections, cysts, tumors, congenital disorders, etc., while the disorders in the prostate gland include prostatitis, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer.
Conclusion
In brief, the seminal vesicle and the prostate gland are two types of glands that occur in the male reproductive system of mammals. They are internal organs, and their function is to produce fluid that becomes a part of the semen. The seminal vesicles occur in the pelvis superior to the rectum, and the size of a seminal vesicle is around 3-5 cm in length. There is a pair of seminal vesicles; each is a coiled, blind-ending tube with several irregular pouches. The function of the seminal fluid is to protect sperm from acidic environments in the vagina.
In comparison, the prostate gland occurs just below the bladder, and its size is around a walnut. However, it is a dense fibromuscular gland. But the main function of the fluids of the prostate gland is to promote sperm production. Therefore, the main difference between seminal vesicles and prostate glands is their anatomy and function.
References:
- “Seminal vesicle: Location, anatomy, Function & Disorders.” Cleveland Clinic.
- “Prostate gland (human anatomy): Prostate picture, definition, function, conditions, tests, and treatments.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
- “Gray1160” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Prostatelead” By US government agency National Cancer Institute – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply