epididymis

(noun)

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

Related Terms

Examples of epididymis in the following topics:

  • Male Reproductive Anatomy

    • When the sperm have developed flagella, or lash-like appendages that protrude from the cell body, and are nearly mature, they leave the testicles and enter the epididymis.
    • The sperm leave the epididymis and enter the vas deferens, which is the duct in the testicle that carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
    • Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules, mature in the epididymis, and then are forced out into the vas deferens and out of the body through the urethra during ejaculation.

  • The Evolution of Reproduction

    • In these more advanced systems, sperm is made in the testes and then travels through coiled tubes to the epididymis for storage.