Read the passage below and answer the following question.
The male reproductive system is located in the pelvis region. The testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity within a pouch called scrotum. The testis is covered by a dense covering. Each testis has about 250 compartments called testicular lobules. Each lobule contains one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules. Each seminiferous tubule is lined on its inside by two types of cells called male germ cells and Sertoli cells. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules are called interstitial spaces. Leydig cells synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens. The male sex accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens. The seminiferous tubules of the testis open into the vasa efferentia through rete testis. The vasa efferentia leave the testis and open into epididymis located along the posterior surface of each testis. The epididymis leads to vas deferens that ascends to the abdomen and loops over the urinary bladder. Secretions of accessory glands constitute the seminal plasma which is rich in fructose, calcium and certain enzymes. The secretions of bulbourethral glands also helps in the lubrication of the penis.
The male accessory glands include which of the following?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → All of the above
The male accessory glands are the glands whose secretions make up the seminal plasma. The book names three of them: the paired seminal vesicles, a prostate and the paired bulbourethral glands.
Option (1) Bulbourethral glands — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. These paired glands add to the seminal plasma, and their secretion also helps in the lubrication of the penis.
Option (2) Seminal vesicles — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. The paired seminal vesicles are accessory glands; the duct of a seminal vesicle joins the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.
Option (3) Prostate gland — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. The single prostate is also an accessory gland, and its secretion helps in the maturation and motility of sperms.
NCERT Extract:
The Male Reproductive System – “… The male accessory glands (Figure 2.1a, b) include paired seminal vesicles, a prostate and paired bulbourethral glands. Secretions of these glands constitute the seminal plasma which is rich in fructose, calcium and certain enzymes. The secretions of bulbourethral glands also helps in the lubrication of the penis.”