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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing

Published on: August 14, 2019

Longitudinal muscular column in the prostatic urethral wall: Its form, shape, and possible function based on

Mi-Sun Hur¹, Hye Won Lee², Hun-Mu Yang³

¹Department of Anatomy, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea.

|February 13, 2020

Summary

The longitudinal muscular column (LMC) in the prostatic urethra aids ejaculation by contracting to expel seminal fluid. This study details its structure and function, revealing its role in the emission phase.

Keywords:

ejaculation ejaculatory duct longitudinal muscular column prostate urethra

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Last Updated: Dec 28, 2025

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Published on: December 8, 2023

Area of Science:

Anatomy
Physiology
Urology

Background:

The precise structure and function of the prostate's longitudinal muscular column (LMC) remain unclear.
Understanding the LMC is crucial for elucidating the mechanics of ejaculation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the form and muscular arrangement of the LMC in the posterior wall of the prostatic urethra (PSU).
To elucidate the role of the LMC in the emission phase of ejaculation.

Main Methods:

Histological analysis of 9 prostate and urinary bladder specimens using H&E, Masson's trichrome, and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains.
3D reconstruction of 2 specimens using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT).

Main Results:

The LMC is composed of longitudinal muscle fibers located posterior to the ejaculatory ducts and prostatic utricle at the seminal colliculus.
The LMC extends from the seminal colliculus to the membranous urethra.
A mathematical model simulated LMC contractions.

Conclusions:

Histological and micro-CT analyses confirm the LMC extends from the seminal colliculus to the membranous urethra.
The LMC plays a critical role in ejaculation by facilitating seminal fluid ejection through coordinated contractions.