Changes

The oviduct is divided into infundibulum, magnum (secretes albumin), “uterus” (secretes membrane and in some species of viviparous snakes serves for placentation) and vagina. There is a region of mucosal folds and alveolar glands in the cranial oviduct, the receptaculum seminis, that serves for sperm storage allowing continued fertility from one insemination. The oviducts empty into the urodeum through the urogenital papillae. The developing embryos or eggs in the right side are carried anterior to those on the left. The left oviduct may be lacking in some [[Snake Taxonomy|taxa]] of snakes including Typhlopidae.

The oviduct is divided into infundibulum, magnum (secretes albumin), “uterus” (secretes membrane and in some species of viviparous snakes serves for placentation) and vagina. There is a region of mucosal folds and alveolar glands in the cranial oviduct, the receptaculum seminis, that serves for sperm storage allowing continued fertility from one insemination. The oviducts empty into the urodeum through the urogenital papillae. The developing embryos or eggs in the right side are carried anterior to those on the left. The left oviduct may be lacking in some [[Snake Taxonomy|taxa]] of snakes including Typhlopidae.

*Find out more about [[Lizard and Snake Dystocia|dystocia]] in snakes.  

* '''For more information on reproductive disease in snakes, see''' [[Lizard and Snake Dystocia|Snake Dystocia]].  

==Testes==

==Testes==

The testes are usually elongated and light-coloured, and consist of seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells, blood vessels and connective tissue. They are situated intracoelomically generally between the pancreas/spleen/gall bladder and the kidneys with the right cranial to the left (see [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|lizard and snake excretion]]). Their size is dependent on the season. An epididymis may be lacking.  Sperm may be stored in a bladder-like structure formed from part of the ureter. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules, transported in the Wolffian ducts and discharged at the base of the hemipenes.

The testes are usually elongated and light-coloured, and consist of seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells, blood vessels and connective tissue. They are situated intracoelomically generally between the pancreas/spleen/gall bladder and the kidneys with the right cranial to the left (see [[Lizard and Snake Excretion]]). Their size is dependent on the season. An epididymis may be lacking.  Sperm may be stored in a bladder-like structure formed from part of the ureter. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules, transported in the Wolffian ducts and discharged at the base of the hemipenes.

==Kidneys==

==Kidneys==

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, 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]].

*More information on reptile reproductive anatomy and physiology can be found [[Exotics - Reptile Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology - Anatomy & Physiology|here]]

* '''For more information on reptile reproductive anatomy and physiology, see''' [[Exotics - Reptile Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology - Anatomy & Physiology|here]].

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]