Epididymis 410991 222665222 2008-06-30T14:38:13Z DOI bot 6652755 Citation maintenance. Formatted: title. You can [[WP:DOI|use this bot]] yourself! Please [[User:DOI_bot/bugs|report any bugs]]. {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 258 | GrayPage = 1242 | Image = Illu testis surface.jpg | Caption = 1: Epididymis<BR>2: Head of epididymis<BR>3: Lobules of epididymis<BR>4: Body of epididymis<BR>5: Tail of epididymis<BR>6: Duct of epididymis<BR>7: Deferent duct (ductus deferens or [[vas deferens]]) | Image2 = Gray1148.png | Caption2 = The right [[testis]], exposed by laying open the [[tunica vaginalis]]. | Width = 194 | System = | Artery = | Vein = [[Pampiniform plexus]] | Nerve = | Lymph = | Precursor = [[Wolffian duct]] | MeshName = Epididymis | MeshNumber = A05.360.444.371 | }} The '''epididymis''' is part of the [[human]] [[male]] [[reproductive system]] and is present in all male [[mammal]]s. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled [[tube]] connecting the [[efferent ducts]] from the rear of each [[testicle]] to its [[vas deferens]]. ==Regions== The epididymis can be divided into three main regions * The head (''Caput'') * The body (''Corpus'') * The tail (''Cauda'') ==Role in storage of sperm and ejaculation== [[Spermatozoa]] formed in the testis enter the caput epididymis, progress to the corpus, and finally reach the cauda region, where they are stored. Sperm entering the caput epididymis are incomplete - they lack the ability to swim forward ([[motility]]) and to [[fertilize]] an egg. During their transit in the epididymis, sperm undergo maturation processes necessary for them to acquire these functions.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Jones R | title = To store or mature spermatozoa? The primary role of the epididymis | journal = Int J Androl | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 57–67 | year = 1999 | pmid = 10194636 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2605.1999.00151.x}} [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/expand?pub=infobike://bsc/ija/1999/00000022/00000002/art00151 abstract]</ref> Final maturation is completed in the [[female]] reproductive tract (''[[capacitation]]''). During [[ejaculation]], sperm flow from the lower portion of the epididymis (which functions as a storage reservoir). They are packed so tightly that they are unable to swim, but are transported via the [[peristalsis|peristaltic]] action of [[muscle]] layers within the [[vas deferens]], and are mixed with the diluting fluids of the [[seminal vesicle]]s and other accessory glands prior to ejaculation (forming [[semen]]). The epididymis is one of only two regions of the body to have [[stereocilia (epididymis)|stereocilia]] (the [[inner ear]] being the other.)<ref>[http://www.vasectomy-information.com/moreinfo/reabsorb.htm How sperm are re-absorbed into the body<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Pathology== An inflammation of the epididymis is called [[epididymitis]]. It is a swollen blood vessel from the testicle that appears or feels like an enlarged epididymis. ==Embryology and vestigial structures== A [[Gartner's duct]] is a [[homology (biology)|homologous]] remnant in the female. In the [[Embryo|embryo]], the epididymis develops from tissue that once formed the [[mesonephros]], a primitive [[kidney]] found in many aquatic vertebrates. Persistence of the cranial end of the mesonephric duct will leave behind a remnant called the ''[[appendix of the epididymis]]''. In addition, some mesonephric tubules can persist as the ''paradidymis'', a small body caudal to the [[efferent ducts|efferent ductules]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu repdt male.jpg|Male reproductive system. Image:Illu testis 1b.jpg|Testis Image:Mesorchium.svg|Schematic drawing of a cross-section through the vaginal process. Image:Epididymis.JPG|Microscopic shot. </gallery> ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{BUHistology|16903loa}} * {{NormanAnatomy|inguinalregion}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|testes}}) {{Male reproductive system}} [[Category:Male reproductive system]] </nowiki> [[ar:بربخ]] [[bs:Pasjemenik]] [[bg:Надсеменник]] [[cs:Nadvarle]] [[de:Nebenhoden]] [[dv:މަނި ގުދަން]] [[es:Epidídimo]] [[fa:بربخ]] [[fr:Épididyme]] [[hr:Pasjemenik]] [[it:Epididimo]] [[la:Epidydimis]] [[lt:Sėklidės prielipas]] [[nl:Bijbal]] [[no:Bitestikkel]] [[pl:Najądrze]] [[pt:Epidídimo]] [[simple:Epididymis]] [[sk:Nadsemenník]] [[sl:Obmodek]] [[fi:Lisäkives]] [[sv:Bitestikel]] [[zh:附睾]] [[ja:精巣上体]]