Epididymis Health Dictionary

Every man has two testicles or testes which are the sexual glands. In the fetus, they develop in the abdomen, but before birth they descend into a fold or pouch of skin known as the SCROTUM. Each testicle consists of up to 1,000 minute tubes lined by cells from which the spermatozoa (see SPERMATOZOON) are formed. Around 4·5 million spermatozoa are produced per gram of testicle per day. These tubes communicate with one another near the centre of the testicle, and are connected by a much coiled tube, the EPIDIDYMIS, with the ductus, or VAS DEFERENS, which enters the abdomen and passes on to the base of the bladder. This duct, after joining a reservoir known as the seminal vesicle, opens, close to the duct from the other side of the body, into the URETHRA where it passes through the PROSTATE GLAND. Owing to the convolutions of these ducts leading from the testicles to the urethra, and their indirect route, the passage from testicle to urethra is over 6 metres (20 feet) in length. In addition to producing spermotozoa, the testicle also forms the hormone TESTOSTERONE which is responsible for the development of male characteristics.... testicle

E?erent seminal ducts of the testis (see TESTICLE); these carry SEMEN from the testis to the head of the EPIDIDYMIS.... vasa efferentia

A harmless cyst of the epididymis containing fluid and sperm.... spermatocele

Either of a pair of tubes that convey sperm from each testis and epididymis to the urethra. The plural form is vasa deferentia.... vas deferens

In?ammation of the SPERMATIC CORD, usually arising in men with epididymitis (in?ammation of the EPIDIDYMIS in the TESTICLE). The condition can be painful. ANTIBIOTICS and ANALGESICS are e?ective treatment.... funiculitis

A collection of ?uid connected with the testis (see TESTICLE) or spermatic cord. When there is no obvious cause, it is classi?ed as primary: such hydrocoeles are usually large and tense, and are commonly found in middle-aged and younger men, presenting as a large, painless scrotal swelling. Congenital hydrocoeles may occur in infants, when they are often associated with a hernial sac (see HERNIA). Hydrocoele of the cord is rare. Secondary hydrocoele is generally smaller and lax; it is usually secondary to a tumour or in?ammation of the underlying testis or epididymis.

Treatment Congenital hydrocoeles usually disappear spontaneously and may be safely watched; surgery is only indicated when there is a hernia, or if the condition persists after the ?rst year. Hydrocoeles in adults should be tapped and the testis palpated to exclude primary lesions. Primary hydrocoeles may be managed by intermittent tapping, or, preferably, by surgical removal. Secondary hydrocoeles require treatment of the underlying condition.... hydrocoele

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the most signi?cant therapeutic advance in male INFERTILITY treatment in the past 30 years. The technique is used when in vitro fertilisation (IVF – see under ASSISTED CONCEPTION) is not possible because the man has very few, motile, normal sperm (see SPERMATOZOON), or when previous attempts at IVF have not produced a fertilised EMBRYO. ICSI requires a single sperm which is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg previously retrieved from the woman. Once fertilised, the embryo is transferred to her UTERUS. For men with no sperm in the semen, it may be possible to retrieve sperm by needle aspiration of the EPIDIDYMIS under local anaesthetic (see ANAESTHESIA). Other techniques involve microsurgical retrieval from the epididymis or TESTICLE under a general anaesthetic. Potential complications include scrotal pain, bruising, HAEMATOMA formation and infection. ICSI and surgical sperm-retrieval require extensive training and expertise and is currently available in only a few selected

infertility units. Safety concerns relate to a higher-than-expected rate of abnormalities in the SEX CHROMOSOMES after ICSI, and also the potential risk of transmitting paternal genetic defects in the Y chromosome to sons born after ICSI.... intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The Mullerian and the Wol?an ducts are separate sets of primordia that transiently co-exist in embryos of both sexes (see EMBRYO). In female embryos the Mullerian ducts grow and fuse in the mid line, producing the FALLOPIAN TUBES, the UTERUS and the upper third of the VAGINA, whereas the Wol?an ducts regress. In the male the Wol?an ducts give rise to the VAS DEFERENS, the seminal vesicles and the EPIDIDYMIS, and the Mullerian ducts disappear. This phase of development requires a functioning testis (see TESTICLE) from which an inducer substance di?uses locally over the primordia to bring about the suppression of the Mullerian duct and the development of the Wol?an duct. In the absence of this substance, development proceeds along female lines regardless of the genetic sex.... mullerian ducts

A harmless swelling, usually painless, that develops in the epididymis.

Small cysts are common in men over 40 and need no treatment.

Rarely, they become tender or enlarge and cause discomfort, in which case surgical removal may be necessary.... epididymal cyst

Acute inflammation of a testis along with its associated epididymis. Epididymo-orchitis causes severe pain and swelling at the back of the testis, and, in severe cases, swelling and redness of the scrotum.

The inflammation is caused by infection. Often, there is no obvious source of infection, but sometimes the cause is a bacterial urinary tract infection that has spread via the vas deferens to the epididymis. Treatment is with antibiotic drugs. If there is an underlying urinary tract infection, its cause will be investigated. (See also orchitis.)... epididymo-orchitis

The reproductive organs, especially those that are external. The male genitalia include the penis, testes (in the scrotum), prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and associated ducts, such as the epididymis and vas deferens. The female genitalia include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, clitoris, vulva, and Bartholin’s glands.... genitalia

The male sex cell, which is responsible for fertilization of the female ovum. Inside the head of the sperm is genetic material, while the acrosome that caps the head contains enzymes that enable sperm to penetrate the ovum’s outer covering. The tail of the sperm propels it.

Sperm are produced within the seminiferous tubules of the testes and mature in the epididymis.

Production and development of sperm cells is dependent on testosterone and on gonadotrophin hormones secreted by the pituitary gland.

Sperm production starts at puberty.... sperm

Emission of semen from the penis at orgasm. Shortly before ejaculation, the muscles around the epididymides (the ducts where sperm are stored; see epididymis), the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles contract rhythmically, forcing the sperm from the epididymides to move forwards and mix with secretions from the seminal vesicles and prostate. At ejaculation, this fluid is propelled through the urethra and out of the body.

Because both semen and urine leave the body by the same route, the bladder neck closes during ejaculation. This not only prevents ejaculate from going into the bladder but also stops urine from contaminating the semen (See also reproductive system, male.)... ejaculation

The male organs involved in the production of sperm and in sexual intercourse. Sperm and male sex hormones (androgen hormones) are produced in the testes, which are suspended in the scrotum. From each testis, sperm pass into an epididymis, where they mature and are stored. Shortly before ejaculation, sperm are propelled into a duct called the vas deferens, which carries the sperm to the seminal vesicles behind the bladder. These 2 sacs produce seminal fluid, which is added to the sperm to produce semen.

Semen travels along 2 ducts to the urethra.

The ducts pass through the prostate gland, which produces secretions that are added to the semen.

At orgasm, semen is ejaculated from the urethra through the erect penis, which is placed in the woman’s vagina during sexual intercourse.... reproductive system, male

n. the surgical removal or excision of the epididymis.... epididymectomy

n. inflammation of the epididymis. The usual cause is infection spreading down the vas deferens from the bladder or urethra, resulting in pain, swelling, and redness of the affected half of the scrotum. The inflammation may spread to the testicle (epididymo-orchitis). Treatment is by administration of antibiotics and analgesics.... epididymitis

n. the operation of connecting the vas deferens to the epididymis to bypass obstruction of the latter in an attempt to cure *azoospermia caused by this blockage. It is also performed to reverse vasectomy as an alternative to *vasovasostomy.... epididymovasostomy

(intracytoplasmic sperm injection) a technique of assisted conception that has revolutionized the treatment of severe male infertility. Spermatozoa are aspirated or extracted from the testis or epididymis (see MESA; PESA) and a single sperm is injected into the cytoplasm of a secondary *oocyte in vitro. The fertilized ovum is then implanted into the uterus.... icsi

(microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration) the removal of spermatozoa from the epididymis by needle *aspiration. This procedure, performed under anaesthetic, may be undertaken to assist conception in cases where the normal passage of sperm from the testis is obstructed, for example by blockage (through infection) of the ducts or by vasectomy. The extracted sperm are subjected to special treatment to select the strongest and most motile; these are then chemically treated to activate them and used for in vitro fertilization (see ICSI).... mesa

(Wolffian body) n. the second area of kidney tissue to develop in the embryo. Its excretory function only lasts for a very brief period before it degenerates. However, parts of it become incorporated into the male reproductive structures. Its duct – the Wolffian (or mesonephric) duct – persists in males as the epididymis and vas deferens, which conduct sperm from the testis. —mesonephric adj.... mesonephros

n. inflammation of the testis. This causes pain, redness, and swelling of the scrotum, and may be associated with inflammation of the epididymis (epididymo-orchitis). The condition may affect one or both testes; it is usually caused by infection spreading down the vas deferens but can develop in mumps. Mumps orchitis affecting both testes after puberty may result in reduced testicular size and abnormalities in semen analysis, although sterility is rare. Treatment of epididymo-orchitis is by local support and by administration of analgesics and antibiotics; mumps orchitis often responds to *corticosteroids.... orchitis

(percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration) a method of assisted conception in which spermatozoa are removed directly from the *epididymis under local anaesthetic. The sperm are then used to fertilize egg cells in vitro (see ICSI).... pesa

n. the operation of joining the vas deferens to the epididymis in a side-to-side manner in order to bypass an obstruction to the passage of sperm from the testis. The obstruction, which may be congenital or acquired, is usually present in the mid-portion or tail of the epididymis. Vaso-epididymostomy is therefore usually performed by anastomosing the head of the epididymis to a longitudinal incision in the lumen of the adjacent vas.... vaso-epididymostomy

n. (pl. testes) either of the pair of male sex organs that produce spermatozoa and secrete the male sex hormone *androgen under the control of *gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland. The testes of the fetus form within the abdomen but descend into the *scrotum in order to maintain a lower temperature that favours the production and storage of spermatozoa. The bulk of the testis is made up of long convoluted seminiferous tubules (see illustration), in which the spermatozoa develop (see spermatogenesis). The tubules also contain *Sertoli cells, which may nourish developing sperm cells. Spermatozoa pass from the testis to the *epididymis to complete their development. The interstitial (Leydig) cells, between the tubules, are the major producers of androgens.... testis