epididymis

[ep-i-did-uh-mis]

noun, plural ep·i·di·dym·i·des [ep-i-di-dim-i-deez, -did-uh-mi-] /ˌɛp ɪ dɪˈdɪm ɪˌdiz, -ˈdɪd ə mɪ-/. Anatomy.

an elongated organ on the posterior surface of a testis that stores sperm while they mature and constitutes the convoluted beginning of the vas deferens.

Origin of epididymis

1600–10; < Greek epididymís; see epi-, didymous

Related formsep·i·did·y·mal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epididymis

Historical Examples of epididymis

The epididymis referred to above, consists of a mass of coiled tubes and blood vessels.
The Biology, Physiology and Sociology of Reproduction
Winfield S. Hall
This epithelium is found lining parts of the respiratory passages, the vas deferens and the epididymis.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6
Various
Its tubules unite with the seminiferous tubules, and also form the epididymis.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1
Francis Maitland Balfour
These two surgeons have restored function in six such cases by uniting the vas with the epididymis by Martin's operation.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation
Austin O'Malley

British Dictionary definitions for epididymis

epididymis

noun plural -didymides (-dɪˈdɪmɪˌdiːz)

anatomy a convoluted tube situated along the posterior margin of each testis, in which spermatozoa are stored and conveyed to the vas deferens

Derived Formsepididymal, adjective

Word Origin for epididymis

C17: from Greek epididumis, from epi- + didumos twin, testicle; see didymous

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for epididymis

c.1600, "fleshy mass at the back of the testicles," Modern Latin, literally "that which is on the testicles," from Greek epididymis, a word probably coined by Greek anatomist Herophilus (c.300 B.C.E.) from epi "on" (see epi-) + didymos "testicle," literally "double, twofold" (adj.). "To save his Epididamies" [Richard Brome, "The Court Beggar," 1652].

epididymis in Medicine

epididymis

[ĕp′ĭ-dĭd′ə-mĭs]

n. pl. ep•i•did•y•mi•des (-mĭ-dēz′)

A long, narrow, convoluted tube in the spermatic duct system that lies on the posterior aspect of each testicle and connects with the vas deferens.