Prostatic utricle

Template:Short description Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other The prostatic utricle (Latin for "small pouch of the prostate") is a small indentation in the prostatic urethra, at the apex of the urethral crest, on the seminal colliculus (verumontanum), laterally flanked by openings of the ejaculatory ducts. It is also known as the vagina masculina,Template:Efn uterus masculinus or (in older literature) vesicula prostatica.

Structure

It is often described as "blind", meaning that it is a duct that does not lead to any other structures. It tends to be about one cm in length. It can sometimes be enlarged. The utricle is deemed enlarged if it allows insertion of a cystoscope at least 2 cm deep. This is often associated with hypospadias.

File:Prostatic urethra.svg

Dissection of prostate showing prostatic utricle opening into the prostatic urethra.

Function

The prostatic utricle is a remnant that is homologous to the female uterus (including the cervix) and vagina, usually described as derived from the paramesonephric ducts, although this is occasionally disputed.

In 1905, Robert William Taylor described the function of the utricle: "In coitus it so contracts that it draws upon the openings of the ejaculatory ducts, and thus renders them so patulous that the semen readily passes through."

See also

• List of related male and female reproductive organs

External links

• Anatomy photo:44:05-0204 at the SUNY Downstate Medical CenterTemplate:Snd"The Male Pelvis: The Prostate Gland"
• pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (Template:NormanAnatomyFig)
• Template:DartmouthHumanAnatomy