epididymis

noun

ep·​i·​did·​y·​mis ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-məs How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
plural epididymides ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-mə-ˌdēz How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
: 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 adjective

Examples of epididymis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epididymis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of epididymis was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near epididymis

Cite this Entry

“Epididymis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epididymis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

epididymis

noun
ep·​i·​did·​y·​mis ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
plural epididymides -mə-ˌdēz How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
plural epididymides -mə-ˌdēz How to pronounce epididymis (audio)
: 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 adjective

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