The spurting duct, also called the ductus ejaculatorius, is a paired structure of the male reproductive organ. The ducts pass through the prostate and open into the urethra. The squirt ducts transport semen into the urethra of the penis, from where it passes out of the body.
What is the squirting canal?
On each side of the prostate gland of the male sex organ lies a squirt duct (ductus ejaculatorius). This paired structure is also called the ejaculatory duct and is about two centimeters long. Each duct is formed by the union of the vas deferens of the equilateral testis and the excretory duct of the vesicular glands, also equilateral. They pass through the prostate gland and open into the urethra at the seminal mound. During ejaculation, semen flows through each of these spurting ducts. The semen then leaves the body through the urethra in the penis. The ductus ejaculatorius can be blocked by pathological congenital or acquired complications. Blockage of both ejaculatory ducts may lead to infertility or aspermia. In this case, transurethral resection helps. This is a surgical procedure to open the ducts and restores seminal flow. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an abnormal, benign enlargement of the prostate gland and can also negatively affect the injection ducts. These can cause not only narrowing but also damage to them.
Anatomy and structure
The male sex organ has two squirt ducts. Each of these is formed by the fusion of one of the two vas deferens and the excretory ducts of one of the two seminal vesicles. One vas deferens arises from each of the two epididymides and carries the semen on to the ductus ejaculatorius. The seminal vesicle is also a paired gonad. An alkaline secretion with a high fructose content is produced here and serves as an energy supply for the sperm. In the ejaculatory duct, sperm and secretion are mixed by the union of the two ducts. The ductus ejeculatorius is about two centimeters long and passes somewhat laterally through the prostate. Therefore, a pathological change in the prostate may also affect the ejaculatory duct. At the end of the prostate is a seminal mound. This is where the ejaculatory ducts end and empty into the urethra. The male sex organ has only one urethra, which passes through the penis. It is the excretory route of urine and semen out of the body. The spurting canal has no tunica muscularis and is covered only with a mucous membrane. There is a closure mechanism at the opening to the urethra. This is intended to prevent retrograde penetration of urine into the vesicular glands. This closure mechanism is controlled by the peripheral nervous system and by muscle cells and fibers.
Function and tasks
Function of the spurting duct is the pooling of secretion and semen and ejaculation. Ejaculation is a reflex process caused by sexual arousal. This can be divided into two phases. The first is the emission phase. Here the ejaculatory duct plays a significant role. Sperm are produced in the testes and transported to the squirt duct via the vas deferens. The secretion produced in the vesicular glands is also transported to the injection duct via the excretory duct. Here, the sperm finally mix with the secretion. The fluid is rich in fructose and provides the sperm with a lot of energy. Now they are kept active and mobile. As they pass through the prostate in the ductus ejaculatorius, another fluid is added, a prostatic alkaline fluid. This is responsible for the texture and specific odor of the semen. Since the vaginal flora is very acidic, the alkaline fluid also serves to neutralize it. Sperm do not survive an acidic environment and die. Another secretion is added in the urethra. Supposedly, this is to keep the vaginal flora moist. So, in the first phase, the complete ejaculate is mixed and stored in the squirt channel. The second phase is the ejaculation phase. In this one, the squirt channel is not involved. The finished semen comes out of the opening of the penis in bumps. For the second phase, the first must be completed.
Diseases
Diseases and ailments can affect either or both of the squirting ducts.Obstruction of the ejaculatory duct is a congenital or acquired pathological condition. In this case, too, both or one of the two ducts may be obstructed. The obstruction prevents or reduces the outflow of semen. The quality of the sperm may be abnormal, with low sperm motility. This can lead to infertility and severe pain in the pelvic area. Another condition is benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is a benign enlargement of the prostate gland due to an increase in the number of cells. Nodular growths are formed, which can compress the squirt channel. This can also lead to complete or partial obstruction of the ejaculatory duct. Two closure mechanisms ensure the correct direction of ejaculation and that sperm does not mix with urine. This is especially important because both flow through the same urethra. However, never at the same time. Both the closure at the seminal mound at the end of the prostate and the closure to the urinary bladder are responsible for this phenomenon. If these closure mechanisms are damaged, retrograde ejaculation can occur. This occurs when semen flows in the opposite direction and enters the urinary bladder. Even if sexual climax can be reached, no or less semen is ejaculated.
Typical and common penile disorders
- Erectile dysfunction (erectile impotence).
- Potency problems
- Premature ejaculation
- Congenital curvature of the penis
