vas deferens

American  

[vas def-uh-renz, -er-uhnz] / ˈvæs ˈdɛf əˌrɛnz, -ər ənz /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

vasa deferentia

1. the duct that transports the sperm from the epididymis to the penis.

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vas deferens British  

/ ˈvæs ˈdɛfəˌrɛnz /

noun

1. anatomy the duct that conveys spermatozoa from the epididymis to the urethra

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vas deferens Scientific  

/ văs′dĕf′ə-rĕnz′ /

plural

vasa deferentia

1. Either of two ducts through which sperm passes from a testis to the outside of the body. In mammals, the vas deferens connects the testis to the urethra.

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Etymology

Origin of vas deferens

First recorded in 1880–85, vas deferens is from New Latin vās dēferēns literally, “vessel for carrying off.” See vas, deferent ²

Example Sentences

For this investigation, the researchers from the Institute of Agricultural Sciences used samples of testicles, epididymis and vas deferens from 118 freshly slaughtered bulls of reproductive age.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2024

A vasectomy blocks the vas deferens, the tubes that are the highway for sperm between the testes and penis.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2023

Studies sponsored by the Male Contraceptive Initiative and Parsemus Foundation are testing hydrogels, a type of polymer that retains water, that block sperm from traveling through the vas deferens.

From Scientific American • Oct. 13, 2022

Goldstein emphasized that it typically takes about six weeks to ensure sperm is no longer alive in the vas deferens, which should be documented by a sperm test.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2022

There was ectopia vesicae and prolapse of the intestine at the umbilicus; the right kidney was elongated; the right vas deferens opened into the ureter.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)