Epididymis

/ˈɛpɪdˌɪdɪmˌɪs/

[noun]

Epididymis

[NOUN]

a tightly coiled tube that stores and transports mature sperm in the male reproductive system

What is "epididymis"?

The epididymis is a coiled tube situated behind each testicle, serving as a site for the final maturation and storage of sperm. It provides a suitable environment for sperm to acquire motility and fertilization capacity through its intricate structure and secretions. Additionally, the epididymis facilitates the transport of sperm from the testes to the vas deferens during ejaculation, playing a vital role in the male reproductive process.

Examples

1. Each epididymis stores immature sperm while they continue to develop.

2. In boys, usually in adolescents and young men, mumps can infect the testicles and epididymis, and cause orchitis and epididymitis, respectively, most often on just one side.

3. At this point, the contractions carry the mature sperm from the epididymis through two muscular ducts called the vas deferens, which carry them up from the testes, up and over the bladder, and down past the seminal vesicles.

4. Cystadenomas can develop in the broad ligament in women, and the epididymis in men, and incidental cysts can occur in the liver, lung, kidney and pancreas in both men and women.