What is the Difference Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland

The key difference between seminal vesicle and prostate gland is that seminal vesicle is a sac-like structure attached to vas deferens near the base of the bladder, while prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder.

There are three main functions of the male reproductive system. It produces and transports sperms, ejaculates sperms into the female reproductive system, and secretes male hormones. The male reproductive system comprises external and internal organs. The external organs include the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes. The internal organs include vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands. The seminal vesicle and prostate gland are two internal organs in the male reproductive system.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Seminal Vesicle  
3. What is Prostate Gland
4. Similarities – Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland
5. Seminal Vesicle vs Prostate Gland in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Seminal Vesicle vs Prostate Gland

What is Seminal Vesicle?

Seminal vesicle is a sac-like structure attached to vas deferens near the base of the bladder. There are two seminal vesicles (two glands) that produce the majority of the fluid that makes up the semen. These vesicles are located below the bladder and above the prostate gland. The seminal vesicles are a pair of 5 cm long tubular glands.  Vas deferens combine with the duct of the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct, which subsequently drains into the prostatic urethra. Internally, the seminal vesicle has a honeycombed lobulated structure with a mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Columnar cells are highly influenced by testosterone. Moreover, these cells are responsible for the production of seminal secretions.

The secretions of the seminal vesicle have a key role in the functioning of semen. These secretions make up 70% of semen’s total volume. The first fractions of the semen include spermatozoa and prostatic secretions. The fluids from the seminal vesicle are included in the late ejaculation fractions of semen. Furthermore, these fluids contain alkaline fluid (neutralizes the acidity of male urethra and vagina in order to protect sperms), fructose (an energy source for sperms), prostaglandins (suppressing the female immune system to respond against foreign semen), and clotting factors (designed to keep semen in the female reproductive tract post ejaculation).

What is Prostate Gland?

The prostate gland is an accessory gland in the male reproductive system. It is a walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder between the bladder and the penis. The urethra runs through the center of this gland. Moreover, the average size of the prostate gland is 11 grams. Anatomically, the internal structure of the prostate gland is divided into 4 zones and 5 lobes. The 4 zones are the peripheral zone, central zone, transition zone, and anterior fibromuscular zone. Moreover, the five lobes include the anterior lobe, posterior lobe, right and left lateral lobes, and middle lobe. The prostate gland is surrounded by an elastic fibromuscular capsule. It also contains glandular tissue and connective tissue.

The prostate gland produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. The prostatic fluid is alkaline in nature and has a milky white appearance. The alkalinity of this fluid helps to neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract and prolongs the life span of sperms. Furthermore, the prostatic fluid is expelled in the first fraction of ejaculate, together with most of the sperms. This is because of the action of smooth muscle tissues within the prostate gland. The disorders that are associated with this gland include prostate enlargement, inflammation, and cancer.

What are the Similarities Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland?

• The seminal vesicle and prostate gland are two internal organs in the male reproductive system.
• Both glands are located in the pelvis.
• They produce fluids that make up the male semen.
• The fluids that are made by these glands protect the sperms.
• These reproductive structures are only present in males.

What is the Difference Between Seminal Vesicle and Prostate Gland?

The seminal vesicle is a sac-like structure attached to vas deferens near the base of the bladder, while the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder. Thus, this is the key difference between seminal vesicle and prostate gland. Furthermore, the fluid produced by the seminal vesicle is called seminal vesicular fluid whereas the fluid produced by the prostate gland is called the prostatic fluid.

The below infographic presents the differences between seminal vesicle and prostate gland in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Seminal Vesicle vs Prostate Gland

The seminal vesicle and prostate gland are sex accessory organs and part of the male genitourinary system. The seminal vesicle is a sac-like structure that is attached to vas deferens near the base of the bladder, while the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure that is located below the urinary bladder. So, this is the key difference between seminal vesicle and prostate gland.

Reference:

1. “Seminal Vesicle.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. Hoffman, Matthew. “Prostate Gland (Human Anatomy): Prostate Picture, Definition, Function, Conditions, Tests, and Treatments.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Male anatomy en” By Male_anatomy.png: alt.sex FAQderivative work: Tsaitgaist (talk) – *[[:File:Male_anatomy.png|Male_anatomy.png] (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Diagram showing T1-3 stages of prostate cancer CRUK 278” By Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia