epididymis

noun

ep·​i·​did·​y·​mis ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-məs 

plural epididymides ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-mə-ˌdēz 

: a system of ductules emerging posteriorly from the testis that holds sperm during maturation and that forms a tangled mass before uniting into a single coiled duct which is continuous with the vas deferens

epididymal

ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-məl 

adjective

Examples of epididymis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sperm travel from the epididymis to the vas deferens. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024

Other highlights include an artificial heart from 1981, tables crafted from human tissue, and a boar’s epididymis (a tube that stores and transports sperm). —Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023

In most cases, surgery can be performed to either reverse these blockages or to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles. —Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2018

Ms Chan therefore concentrated her attentions on part of the male genital tract called the epididymis. —The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018

Very few are actually released into the epididymis. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from epi- + didymos testicle, twin, from dyo two — more at two

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

epididymis

noun

ep·​i·​did·​y·​mis ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs 

plural epididymides -mə-ˌdēz 

: a mass at the back of the testis composed of coiled tubes in which sperms are stored

Medical Definition

epididymis

noun

ep·​i·​did·​y·​mis ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs 

plural epididymides -mə-ˌdēz 

: a system of ductules that emerges posteriorly from the testis, holds sperm during maturation, and forms a tangled mass before uniting into a single coiled duct which comprises the highly convoluted body and tail of the system and is continuous with the vas deferens see vasa efferentia

epididymal

-məl 

adjective