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The posterior part of the kidneys of most male snakes is sexually dimorphic. A portion of the distal tubules, called the "sexual segment", shows a seasonal enlargement and cellular changes. A phospholipid secretion is produced here and is incorporated into the seminal fluid.
The posterior part of the kidneys of most male snakes is sexually dimorphic. A portion of the distal tubules, called the "sexual segment", shows a seasonal enlargement and cellular changes. A phospholipid secretion is produced here and is incorporated into the seminal fluid.
==Hemipenes==
==Hemipenes==
Male squamates have paired copulatory organs called [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]]. These are caudal extensions of the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], except in Ramphotyphlops spp. Normally they are invaginations in the base of the tail and are held in place by a retractor muscle. The functional surface of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenis]] is the lumen of this cavity. The paired openings of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] are just inside the mucocutaneous junction and one fourth of the way medial from the lateral corners of the [[Vent|vent]]. For copulation they evert through the [[Vent|vent]]. The [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] may have protuberances that help grip the female and there is a surface groove, the sulcus spermaticus, involved in the propulsion of semen.
Male squamates have paired copulatory organs called [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]]. These are caudal extensions of the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], except in ''Ramphotyphlops'' spp. Normally they are invaginations in the base of the tail and are held in place by a retractor muscle. The functional surface of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenis]] is the lumen of this cavity. The paired openings of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] are just inside the mucocutaneous junction and one fourth of the way medial from the lateral corners of the [[Vent|vent]]. For copulation they evert through the [[Vent|vent]]. The [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] may have protuberances that help grip the female and there is a surface groove, the sulcus spermaticus, involved in the propulsion of semen.
* '''For information on sexing snakes, see''' [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]].
* '''For information on sexing snakes, see''' [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]].