vas deferens

Vas deferens
Male Anatomy
Vertical section of the testis, to show the arrangement of the ducts.
Artery	Superior vesical artery, Artery of the ductus deferens
Lymph	external iliac lymph nodes, internal iliac lymph nodes
Precursor	Wolffian duct
MeSH	Vas+Deferens

The vas deferens (plural: vasa deferentia), also called ductus deferens, (Latin: "carrying-away vessel"), is part of the male anatomy of some species; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation.

Structure

There are two such ducts, connecting the left and right epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in order to move sperm. Each tube is about 30 centimeters long (in humans) and is muscular (surrounded by smooth muscle), just like the penis.

They are part of the spermatic cords.

Function in ejaculation

During ejaculation the smooth muscle in the walls of the ductus deferens or vas deferens contracts reflexively, thus propelling the sperm forward. This is also known as peristalsis. The sperm is transferred from the vas deferens into the urethra, collecting secretions from the male accessory sex glands such as the seminal vesicles, prostate gland and the bulbourethral glands, which form the bulk of semen.

Significance in contraception

The procedure of deferentectomy, also known as a vasectomy, is a method of contraception in which the vasa deferentia are permanently cut, though in some cases it can be reversed. A modern variation, which is also 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. In either procedure, active sperm may be still be present in the seminal vesicles for as long as 12 weeks.

Investigational attempts for male contraception have focused on the vas with the use of the intra vas device and reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG).

Blood supply

The vas deferens is supplied by an accompanying artery (artery of vas deferens). This artery normally arises from the inferior vesical artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery.

Additional images

Male reproductive system.	Coronal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ. Viewed from behind.	The relations of the femoral and abdominal inguinal rings, seen from within the abdomen. Right side.	The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal.
Fundus of the bladder with the vesiculæ seminales.	Vertical section of bladder, penis, and urethra.	Prostate with seminal vesicles and seminal ducts, viewed from in front and above.	Prostate
Microscopic cross section.

See also

• Vasectomy
• Intra vas device
• Cystic fibrosis
• Excretory duct of seminal gland

External links

• SUNY Labs 36:07-0301 - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: Layers of the Spermatic Cord"
• SUNY Labs 44:02-0301 - "The Male Pelvis: Distribution of the Peritoneum in the Male Pelvis"
• Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 2424 319
• Cross section at UV pelvis/pelvis-e12-15
• inguinalregion at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (testes)