epididymis
[ ep-i-did-uh-mis ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɪd ə mɪs /
|
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.
Nearby words
- epidermolysis bullosa,
- epidermophyton,
- epidermotropism,
- epidiascope,
- epididymectomy,
- epididymitis,
- epididymo-orchitis,
- epididymoplasty,
- epididymotomy,
- epididymovasectomy
See also vas efferens.
Origin of epididymis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for epididymis
This epithelium is found lining parts of the respiratory passages, the vas deferens and the epididymis.
Its tubules unite with the seminiferous tubules, and also form the epididymis.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland BalfourThe epididymis referred to above, consists of a mass of coiled tubes and blood vessels.
The Biology, Physiology and Sociology of Reproduction|Winfield S. HallThese 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
epididymis
/ (ˌɛpɪˈdɪdɪmɪs) /
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
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
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].
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.