epididymis
Sign in to saveThe epididymis (; : epididymides or ) is an elongated tubular genital organ attached to the posterior side of each one of the two male reproductive glands, the testicles. It is a single, narrow, tightly coiled tube in adult humans, in length; uncoiled, the tube would be approximately 6 m (20 feet) long. It connects the testicle to the vas deferens in the male reproductive system. The epididymis serves as an interconnection between the multiple efferent ducts at the rear of a testicle (proximally), and the vas deferens (distally). Its primary function is the storage, maturation and transport of
AI overview
The epididymis is a long, tightly coiled tube attached to each testicle that stores and transports sperm from the testicle to the vas deferens. Though it appears quite short on the outside, if uncoiled it would stretch about 20 feet long, and it plays an essential role in preparing sperm for reproduction.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Epididymis
- Anatomy.Latin
- epididymis
- Anatomy.Greek
- ἐπιδιδυμίς
- Anatomy.Image
- Epididymis-KDS.jpg
- Anatomy.Caption
- Adult human testicle with epididymis highlighted: A. Head of epididymis, B. Body of epididymis, C. Tail of epididymis, and D. Vas deferens
- Anatomy.Width
- 194
- Anatomy.Image2
- Gray1148.png
- Anatomy.Caption2
- The right testicle, exposed by laying open the tunica vaginalis.
- Anatomy.Precursor
- Mesonephric ducts
- Anatomy.Vein
- Pampiniform plexus
via Wikipedia infobox
Research
21,226 papersArticle
15 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Histology
- Stereocilia
- Development
- Function
- Role in storage of sperm and ejaculant
- Antioxidant defenses
- Clinical significance
- Inflammation
- Surgical removal
- Other animals
- Gallery
- See also
- Notes
- External links
The epididymis (; : epididymides or ) is an elongated tubular genital organ attached to the posterior side of each one of the two male reproductive glands, the testicles. It is a single, narrow, tightly coiled tube in adult humans, in length; uncoiled, the tube would be approximately 6 m (20 feet) long. It connects the testicle to the vas deferens in the male reproductive system. The epididymis serves as an interconnection between the multiple efferent ducts at the rear of a testicle (proximally), and the vas deferens (distally). Its primary function is the storage, maturation and transport of sperm cells.
==Structure== The human epididymis is situated posterior and somewhat lateral to the testis. The epididymis is invested completely by the tunica vaginalis (which is continuous with the tunica vaginalis covering the testis).