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Undid revision 1292233903 by 2A00:23C5:DA87:9901:6D4B:7275:6AC6:7AAB (talk)

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{{Short description|Male anatomical structures}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Ejaculatory duct
| Latin = ductus ejaculatorius ({{plural form}}: ductus ejaculatorii)
| Image = male anatomy 1.png
| Caption = Male anatomy
| Image2 = Prostate - Gray1153.png
| Caption2 = [[Vesiculae seminales]] and ampullæ of [[ductus deferentes]], seen from the front. The anterior walls of the left [[Ampulla of ductus deferens|ampulla]], left [[seminal vesicle]], and prostatic [[urethra]] have been cut away.
| Width = 300
| System =
|Artery=[[Inferior vesical artery]], [[middle rectal artery]]}}

The '''ejaculatory ducts''' (''ductus ejaculatorii'') are paired structures in the [[male reproductive system]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AAtrAAAAMAAJ|title=Handbook of andrology|last1=Andrology|first1=American Society of|year=1995}}</ref> Each ejaculatory duct is formed by the union of the [[vas deferens]] with the [[Excretory duct of seminal gland|duct of the seminal vesicle]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.asiaandro.com/archive/1008-682X/3/251.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165339/http://www.asiaandro.com/archive/1008-682X/3/251.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=Function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility|journal=Asian Journal of Andrology|date=December 3, 2001|pages=251–258}}</ref> They pass through the [[prostate]], and open into the [[urethra]] above the [[seminal colliculus]]. During [[ejaculation]], [[semen]] passes through the prostate gland, enters the urethra and exits the body via the [[urinary meatus]].<ref name="books.google.co.za">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mEgckDNkonUC&q=%22ejaculatory+duct%22+OR+%22ejaculatory+ducts%22|title=Andrology|isbn=9783540783558|last1=Nieschlag|first1=Eberhard|last2=Behre|first2=Hermann M.|last3=Nieschlag|first3=Susan|date=2010-01-13|publisher=Springer }}</ref>

==Function==

===Ejaculation===
{{Main|Ejaculation}}
Ejaculation occurs in two stages, the emission stage and the expulsion stage.<ref name="hswd">Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., Herold, E. S. (2010). ''Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity''. Pearsons Education Canada, Pearson Canada Inc. Toronto, ON.</ref> The emission stage involves the workings of several structures of the ejaculatory duct; contractions of the prostate gland, the [[seminal vesicles]], the [[bulbourethral gland]] and the [[vas deferens]] push fluids into the [[prostatic urethra]].<ref name="books.google.co.za"/> The semen is stored here until ejaculation occurs. Muscles at the base of the penis contract in order to propel the seminal fluid trapped in the prostatic urethra through the penile urethra and expel it through the [[urinary meatus]]. The ejaculate is expelled in spurts, due to the movement of the muscles propelling it. These muscle contractions are related to the sensations of orgasm for the male.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eCxSycu3TBUC&q=Human+Reproductive+Biology|title=Human Reproductive Biology|isbn=9780323144810|last1=Jones|first1=Mark M.|date=2012-12-02|publisher=Academic Press }}</ref>

[[Sperm]] are produced in the testes and enter the ejaculatory ducts via the vas deferens. As they pass by the seminal vesicles, a fluid rich in fructose combines with the sperm. This addition nourishes the sperm in order to keep them active and motile.<ref name="hslm">Esmail, S. (2010). ''HECOL 211 Human Sexuality Lecture Manual 2010''. Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.</ref> Seminal fluid continues down the ejaculatory duct into the prostate gland, where an alkaline prostatic fluid is added.<ref name="hswd" /> This addition provides the texture and odor associated with semen.<ref name="hswd" /> The alkalinity of the prostatic fluid serves to neutralize the acidity of the female vaginal tract in order to prolong the survival of sperm in this harsh environment.<ref name="hslm" /> Semen is now a fructose-rich, alkaline fluid containing sperm as it enters the bulbourethral glands below the prostate.<ref name="hslm" /> The bulbourethral glands secrete a small amount of clear fluid into the urethra before the ejaculate is expelled. The functions of this fluid are not entirely known but are suggested to aid in lubricating the male urethra in preparation for the semen during ejaculation.<ref name="hswd" /> The amount of semen produced and expelled during ejaculation corresponds to the length of time that the male is sexually aroused before ejaculation occurs.<ref name="hswd" /> Generally, the longer the period of arousal, the larger the amount of seminal fluid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andrologysociety.org/Andrology-Press/Andrology-Handbook,-2nd-Edition.aspx|title=American Society of Andrology - Andrology Handbook, 2nd Edition|access-date=2015-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416102147/http://andrologysociety.org/Andrology-Press/Andrology-Handbook,-2nd-Edition.aspx|archive-date=2015-04-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ejaculation and [[orgasm]] may occur simultaneously, however they are not coupled, in that one may occur without the other. For example, a man may have a dry orgasm (termed [[retrograde ejaculation]]<ref>[http://www.fertilityfactor.com/infertility_male_infertility_retrograde_ejaculation.html Retrograde ejaculation treatments]</ref>); there is no expulsion of ejaculate however the man still experiences orgasm.<ref name="hswd" /> Also, paraplegics may ejaculate seminal fluid but not experience the sensation of orgasm.<ref name="hswd" />

==Clinical relevance==

===Ejaculatory duct obstruction===
{{Main|Ejaculatory duct obstruction}}
[[Ejaculatory duct obstruction]] is an acquired or congenital pathological condition in which one or both ejaculatory ducts are obstructed.<ref name="0-www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.innopac.up.ac.za">{{cite journal |pmid=23733548 |year=2013 |last1=McQuaid |first1=J. W. |last2=Tanrikut |first2=C. |title=Ejaculatory duct obstruction: Current diagnosis and treatment |journal=Current Urology Reports |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=291–7 |doi=10.1007/s11934-013-0340-y |s2cid=12902575 }}</ref> In the case that both ejaculatory ducts are obstructed, this illness presents with the symptoms of [[aspermia]] and male [[infertility]].<ref name="0-www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.innopac.up.ac.za"/><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=17055837|year=2006|author1=Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine|title=Report on management of obstructive azoospermia|journal=Fertility and Sterility|volume=86|issue=5 Suppl 1|pages=S259-63|doi=10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.08.031|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Benign prostatic hyperplasia===
{{Main|Benign prostatic hyperplasia}}
Surgery to correct [[benign prostatic hyperplasia]] may destroy these ducts resulting in [[retrograde ejaculation]]. Retrograde ejaculation empties the seminal fluid formed in the emission phase into the bladder of the male instead of expelling it through the urethra and out the tip of the penis.<ref name="hswd" /> This results in a dry orgasm, where orgasm may still be experienced but without expulsion of semen from the ejaculatory ducts.

==Additional images==
<gallery>
File:Illu prostate lobes.jpg|Lobes of prostate
File:Gray1156.png|Vertical section of bladder, penis and urethra
File:Gray1160.png|Prostate with seminal vesicles and seminal ducts, viewed from in front and above
File:Gray1228.png|Median sagittal section of male pelvis
File:Prostatic urethra.svg|Dissection of prostate showing ejaculatory ducts opening into the prostatic urethra
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Anatomy-terms}}
* [[Excretory duct of seminal gland]]
* [[Seminal vesicles]]
* [[Prostate]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|44|03|15}} - "Lateral (A) and posterior (B) views of the bladder and associated structures."
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_34/34-3.HTM}}

{{Male reproductive system}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mammal male reproductive system]]
[[Category:Andrology]]
[[Category:Human penis anatomy]]

Ejaculatory duct - Revision history

imported>FlutterDash344: Undid revision 1292233903 by 2A00:23C5:DA87:9901:6D4B:7275:6AC6:7AAB (talk)