Sperm duct
Sperm Duct
The sperm duct, also known as the vas deferens, is a vital component of the male reproductive system. It is a thin, muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis, where sperm is stored after production in the testes, to the urethra for ejaculation.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The sperm duct is approximately 30 to 45 centimeters long in humans. It begins at the lower part of the epididymis and extends to the ejaculatory duct. The sperm duct is surrounded by a layer of smooth muscle that contracts during ejaculation to propel the sperm forward.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the sperm duct is to transport mature sperm to the urethra in preparation for ejaculation. The sperm travels through the sperm duct in a fluid known as semen, which is produced by the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. The sperm duct also plays a role in the storage of sperm, as it can hold sperm for several months.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Several medical conditions can affect the sperm duct, including vasectomy, a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. In this procedure, the vas deferens are cut or sealed to prevent sperm from reaching the urethra. Other conditions include vas deferens obstruction, which can lead to male infertility, and congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD), a genetic condition often associated with cystic fibrosis.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
