epididymis

(noun)

A narrow, tightly-coiled tube where sperm are  stored during maturation. It connects the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens.

Related Terms

Examples of epididymis in the following topics:

  • Testes Ducts

    • The efferent ducts connect the rete testis with the initial section of the epididymis.
    • 1) Multiple entries into the epididymis: This type is seen in most large mammals.
    • This is characterized by three to six ductules that merge into a single small ductule prior to entering the epididymis.
    • The epithelium is surrounded by a band of smooth muscle that helps to propel the sperm toward the epididymis.
    • Two ducts connect the left and right epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in order to move sperm.

  • Testes

    • The developing sperm travels through the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis located in the mediastinum testis, to the efferent ducts, and then to the epididymis where newly-created sperm cells mature.
    • Head of epididymis, 9b.
    • Body of epididymis, 9.c Tail of epididymis,10.

  • Vasectomy

    • Fluid content is absorbed by membranes in the epididymis, and solid content is broken down by macrophages and re-absorbed via the blood stream.
    • Sperm is matured in the epididymis for about a month before leaving the testicles.
    • The buildup of sperm increases pressure in the vas deferens and epididymis.

  • Spermatogenesis

    • In mammals, it occurs in the male testes and epididymis in a stepwise fashion that takes approximately 64 days.
    • The non-motile spermatozoa are transported to the epididymis in testicular fluid secreted by the Sertoli cells with the aid of peristaltic contraction.
    • While in the epididymis, the spermatozoa gain motility and become capable of fertilization.

  • Scrotum

    • It has been suggested that if testes were situated within the abdominal cavity, they would be subjected to the regular changes in abdominal pressure that are exerted by the abdominal muscles, resulting in the more rapid emptying of the testes and epididymis of sperm before the spermatozoa were matured sufficiently for fertilization.

  • Embryological and Fetal Events

    • In the male the Wolffian duct persists and forms the tube of the epididymis, the ductus deferens, and the ejaculatory duct, while the seminal vesicle arises during the third month as a lateral diverticulum from its hinder end.
    • A large part of the head end of the mesonephros atrophies and disappears; of the remainder the anterior tubules form the efferent ducts of the testis; while the posterior tubules are represented by the ductuli aberrantes, and by the paradidymis, which is sometimes found in front of the spermatic cord above the head of the epididymis.

  • Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System

    • These external structures are the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes.

  • Semen

    • Once the semen enters the ductus epididymis, the principal cells (which contain pinocytotic vessels indicating fluid reabsorption) secrete glycerophosphocholine, which most likely inhibits premature capacitation.

  • Chlamydia

    • Occasionally, the condition spreads to the upper genital tract in women (causing pelvic inflammatory disease) or to the epididymis in men (causing epididymitis).

  • Overview of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

    • Immature sperm then travel to the epididymis for development and storage.