vas deferens

[ vas-def-uh-renz, -er-uhnz ]

noun,plural va·sa de·fe·ren·ti·a

[vey-suh-def-uh-ren-shee-uh, -shuh]. /ˈveɪ sə ˌdɛf əˈrɛn ʃi ə, -ʃə/. Anatomy, Zoology.

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

Origin of vas deferens

First recorded in 1880–85, vas deferens is from New Latin vās dēferēns literally, “vessel for carrying off.” See vas, deferent²

See also vas efferens.

Words Nearby vas deferens

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vas deferens in a sentence

Vasalgel, a reversible form of male birth control, just took one step closer to your vas deferens.
Male Birth Control, Without Condoms, Will Be Here by 2017 | Samantha Allen | September 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Vasalgel, a reversible, non-hormonal polymer that blocks the vas deferens, is about to enter human trials.
Male Birth Control, Without Condoms, Will Be Here by 2017 | Samantha Allen | September 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
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
Analogy would certainly lead us to expect the ureter to serve in Ganoids as the vas deferens.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland Balfour
The main function of the Wolffian duct in the male is, however, that of a vas deferens.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland Balfour

The Wolffian duct itself becomes much contorted and acts as vas deferens.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland Balfour
In vesiculotomy great care must be taken not to cut the vas deferens.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation | Austin O'Malley

British Dictionary definitions for vas deferens

vas deferens

/ (ˈvæs ˈdɛfəˌrɛnz) /

nounplural vasa deferentia (ˈveɪsə ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃɪə)

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

Origin of vas deferens

C16: from New Latin, from Latin vās vessel + deferēns, present participle of deferre to bear away

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

Scientific definitions for vas deferens

vas deferens

[ văs′ dĕf′ə-rĕnz′ ]

Plural vasa deferentia (vā′zə dĕf′ə-rĕn′shē-ə)

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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