Vas deferens
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The vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, (Latin: "carrying-away vessel") is part of the human male anatomy. There are two of them; they are muscular tubes (surrounded by smooth muscle) connecting the left and right epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in order to move sperm. Each tube is about 30 centimeters long. During ejaculation the smooth muscle in the wall of the vas deferens contracts reflexively, thus propelling the sperm forward. The sperm are transferred from the ductus deferens into the urethra, collecting fluids from the male accessory sex glands en route.
The procedure of deferentectomy is popularly known as a vasectomy. It is a method of contraception in which the vasa deferentia are permanently cut. A modern variation, which is also popularly known as a vasectomy even though it does not include cutting the vas, involves injecting an obstructive material into the ductus to block the flow of sperm.
See also
| Reproductive system - edit |
|---|
| Female - Cervix | Clitoris | Clitoral hood | Fallopian tubes | Bartholin's glands | G-spot | Hymen | Labium | Mammary glands | Ovaries | Skene's glands | Urethra | Uterus | Vagina | Vulva |
| Male - Urethra | Testes | Scrotum | Spermatic cord | Epididymis | Seminiferous tubules | Sertoli cell | Rete testis | Efferent ducts | Vas deferens | Seminal vesicles | Ejaculatory duct | Penis | Corpus cavernosum | Glans penis | Fundiform ligament | Foreskin | Frenulum | Prostate | Bulbourethral glands |
es:Vaso deferente fr:Canal déférent lt:Sėklinis latakas nl:Zaadleider sl:Semenovod sv:Sädesledare zh:输精管