Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,589,557,001 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

epididymis

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
ep·i·did·y·mis  (p-dd-ms)
n. pl. ep·i·did·y·mi·des (-m-dz)
A long, narrow, convoluted tube, part of the spermatic duct system, that lies on the posterior aspect of each testicle, connecting it to the vas deferens.

[Greek epididumis : epi-, epi- + didumoi, twins, testicles, pl. of didumos, double; see dwo- in Indo-European roots.]

epi·didy·mal adj.

epididymis [ˌɛpɪˈdɪdɪmɪs]
n pl -didymides [-dɪˈdɪmɪˌdiːz]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy a convoluted tube situated along the posterior margin of each testis, in which spermatozoa are stored and conveyed to the vas deferens
[from Greek epididumis, from epi- + didumos twin, testicle; see didymous]
epididymal  adj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.epididymis - a convoluted tubule in each testis; carries sperm to vas deferens
duct, epithelial duct, canal, channel - a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance; "the tear duct was obstructed"; "the alimentary canal"; "poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs"
ballock, bollock, testicle, testis, orchis, egg, ball, nut - one of the two male reproductive glands that produce spermatozoa and secrete androgens; "she kicked him in the balls and got away"
vasa efferentia - the several highly convoluted tubules that lead from the rete testis to the vas deferens and form the head of the epididymis
seminal duct - the efferent duct of the testis in man


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
Add definition
Mentioned in?  References in periodicals archive?   Dictionary browser?   Full browser?
 
Greening said he thought the reason why sperm quality improved with frequent ejaculation was because the sperm had a shorter exposure in the testicular ducts and epididymis to reactive oxygen species - very small molecules, high levels of which can damage cells.
On the left side, there was a discrete mass palpated on top of the testicle, near the location of the epididymis.
Not until they pass through the tube-like epididymis do sperm acquire both of these functions.
 
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.