spermatheca

(noun)

a small sac within the reproductive tract of some female invertebrates, such as insects, which stores sperm until it is used to fertilize the ova

Related Terms

Examples of spermatheca in the following topics:

  • Phylum Nematoda

    • C. elegans is a monoecious species, having development of ova contained in a uterus as well as sperm contained in the spermatheca.

  • The Evolution of Reproduction

    • Specifically, in the insect reproductive system, a specialized sac developed, called a spermatheca, which is used to store sperm for later use, sometimes up to a year.