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The seminal vesicle is a prominent accessory sex gland in the mouse. The wall of the seminal vesicle is thin and consists of, from inside to outside, tall columnar epithelium, a folded mucosa, lamina propria of loose connective tissue, and smooth muscle fibers. Distension of the seminal vesicle by its secretion shortens the mucosal folds and the columnar epithelium. The ducts of the seminal vesicle transport the strongly eosinophilic secretion to the colliculus seminalis. After copulation the secretions of the seminal vesicles, the prostate glands, and the bulbourethral glands form the copulatory plug to keep semen within the vagina.
The 4X micrograph is a cross section of the seminal vesicle, showing the thin wall, the large cavity with strong eosinophilic secretion, and the mucosal folds. The 10X, 20X, and 40X micrographs show, in increasing detail, the low columnar epithelium, the mucosal folds, and the lamina propria.
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