NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Epididymis

The epididymis is part of the human male reproductive system and is present in all male mammals. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. The epididymis can be divided into three main regions, the head (caput), body (corpus) and tail (cauda). Sperm 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. Sperm maturation is completed in the female reproductive tract (capacitation). Image File history File links Drawing of the Male Internal Sexual Anatomy From alt. ... Image File history File links Drawing of the Male Internal Sexual Anatomy From alt. ... Binomial name Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Subspecies Homo sapiens idaltu (extinct) Homo sapiens sapiens Human beings define themselves in biological, social, and spiritual terms. ... Male symbol Male is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces sperm. ... A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands... TUBE (チューブ; chūbu) is a Japanese popular music group. ... The efferent ducts are part of the testes and connect the rete testis with the epididymis. ... Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ... Male Anatomy The vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, (Latin: carrying-away vessel) is part of the human male anatomy. ... Motility is the ability to move spontaneously and independently. ... Categories: Biology stubs ... Female symbol Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces egg cells. ... Capacitation refers to the post-ejaculatory process that takes place in mammalian spermatozoa that renders them competent to interact with, and fertilize, an oocyte. ...

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 peristaltic action of muscle layers within the vas deferens, and are mixed with the diluting fluids of the seminal vesicles and other accessory glands prior to ejaculation (forming semen). Illustration of the human male anatomy. ... Sperm is an exocrine secretion of male animal gonads that contains spermatozoa. ... Peristalsis is the process of involuntary wave-like successive muscular contractions by which food is moved through the digestive tract. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle is a contractile form of tissue. ... Male Anatomy The vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, (Latin: carrying-away vessel) is part of the human male anatomy. ... Male Anatomy The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder of males. ... Semen or sperm is a fluid that contains spermatozoa. ...

Inflammation of the epididymis is called epididymitis. Epididymitis is a medical condition where the epididymis becomes inflamed. ...

A Gartner's duct is a homologous remnant in the female. Gartners duct is a potential embryological remnant in human female development of the mesonephric ducts. ... Two or more structures are said to be homologous if they are alike because of shared ancestry. ...

Embryologically, the epididymis is derived from tissue that once formed the mesonephros, a primitive kidney found in many aquatic vertebrates. Embryology is the subdivision of developmental biology that studies embryos and their development. ... Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ...

References

Categories: Reproductive system | Andrology A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... A womans clitoris extends from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone. ... In female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, or prepuce, is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoris. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ... The Bartholins glands (also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two glands located slightly below and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina in women. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy. ... The hymen (also known under the slang names cherry and maidenhead) is a membrane which completely or partially occludes the vaginal opening in human females. ... A labium (plural is labia) is any of four folds of tissue of the female external genitalia. ... Mammary glands are milk-secreting adaptations of sweat glands and are the characteristic of mammals which gave the class its name. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... In human anatomy, the Skenes glands (also known as the lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands) are glands located on the upper wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Appearance of the vulva Labeled picture of external female reproductive anatomy. ... Male Anatomy In the anatomy of the male human body, the bulbourethral glands (or Cowpers glands) are two small, rounded, and somewhat lobulated bodies, of a yellow color, about the size of peas, placed behind and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra, between the two layers of... Male Anatomy In the anatomy of the male human body, the bulbourethral glands (or Cowpers glands) are two small, rounded, and somewhat lobulated bodies, of a yellow color, about the size of peas, placed behind and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra, between the two layers of... Male Anatomy The Ejaculatory ducts are part of the human male anatomy. ... Male Anatomy This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A frenulum (or frenum) is a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. ... Exposed glans of a penis. ... The penis (plural penises or penes) or remis is the external male copulatory organ of some animals, and, in mammals, the external male organ of urination. ... Male Anatomy The prostate is a gland that is part of male mammalian sex organs. ... The scrotum (human variant shown) is a thin extension of the abdomen that contains the testes and helps regulate their temperature. ... Male Anatomy The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder of males. ... Male Anatomy The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue (veins, arteries, nerves, and lymphatic vessels) that run from the abdomen down to each testicle. ... Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... Male Anatomy The vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, (Latin: carrying-away vessel) is part of the human male anatomy. ...