Morphometric Variations and Age Related Changes in the Length of Ejaculatory Ducts of Bangladeshi People

Abstract

Context: The ejaculatory ducts are paired structures of male reproductive system, measuring about 1.5-2 cm in length. This short length is attributable to their embryological origin from mesonephric duct and their entirely intraprostatic course, formed by the union of ductus deferens and the duct of seminal vesicle and opens directly into prostatic urethra at verumontanum. Ejaculatory duct disorder is a rare but surgically treatable cause of male infertility. Length of ejaculatory duct provides knowledge for anatomists, forensic experts, surgeons, urologists and radiologists.

Material and Methods: This cross sectional study aimed to establish an anatomical standard for the Bangladeshi population by evaluating age-related variations in the length of the ejaculatory ducts. The research specifically analyzes how these measurements differ across various life stages. The study examined 67 postmortem human prostate glands collected via non-random purposive sampling from cadavers aged 10 to 80 years. Specimens were categorized into three age groups: Group A (up to 18 years), Group B (19 to 45 years), and Group C (above 45 years). Following standard autopsy techniques, the lengths of both the right and left ejaculatory ducts were measured using a thread and linear scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS to compare mean differences between groups.

Results: The mean length of the right ejaculatory duct was 0.98±0.28 cm in Group A, increasing to 1.48±0.28 cm in Group B, and remaining at 1.48±0.31 cm in Group C. Similarly, the left duct measured 1.06±0.33 cm in Group A, 1.54±0.29 cm in Group B, and 1.53±0.30 cm in Group C. Statistically significant increases were observed between the adolescent group (A) and both adult groups (B and C), though growth plateaued or slightly declined after age 45.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the ejaculatory ducts undergo significant elongation with age until early adulthood, likely influenced by hormonal shifts. These results provide a vital baseline for Bangladeshi clinical standards, which may assist in diagnosing ejaculatory disorders and refining surgical or urological interventions.

Bangladesh J. Anat. 2023; 21(2) : 45-49