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

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

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

A vasectomy, for the Google-averse, is a minimally invasive, needle- and scalpel-free procedure that “seals” one side of each vas deferens to block sperm from entering the urethra.

From Washington Post

To which we say, if you don’t recognize the vas deferens — er, difference — you probably don’t have any business buying basketball tickets.

From Seattle Times

The new birth control blocks sperm from leaving a man’s genitals by injecting a compound called Styrene Maleic Anhydride into the vas deferens and is slated to last for 13 years.

From Washington Times