epididymis

views updated May 18 2018

ep·i·did·y·mis / ˌepiˈdidəməs/ • n. (pl. -did·y·mi·des / -ˈdidəmiˌdēz; -diˈdimiˌdēz/ ) Anat. a highly convoluted duct behind the testis, along which sperm passes to the vas deferens.DERIVATIVES: ep·i·did·y·mal / -məl/ adj.

epididymis

views updated May 17 2018

epididymis A long coiled tube in which spermatozoa are stored in vertebrates. In reptiles, birds, and mammals it is attached at one end to the testis and opens into the sperm duct (vas deferens) at the other.

epididymis

views updated Jun 08 2018

epididymis (epi-did-i-mis) n. (pl. epididymides) a highly convoluted tube, about seven metres long, that connects the testis to the vas deferens. The spermatozoa are moved along the tube and are stored in the lower part until ejaculation.
epididymal adj.

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