50. Male reproductive system. Ductus deferens. Seminal vesicles. Prostate gland. Bulbourethral glands. Macroscopic, microscopic, ultramicroscopic and functional characteristics. Blood and nerve supply.

EPIDIDYMIS

• The epididymis is a highly convoluted duct.
• It is attached to the posterior margin and inferiorly to the scortum.
• Spermatozoa spend 10 - 12 of their total 72 days of maturation within the epididymis.
• The epididymis serve as a reservior of spermatozoa, where they mature and gain capacity to move and fertilise the ovum.

Internal Structure:

1. 1 Efferent ductules (ductuli eferentes)

• 8–12 ductules that pass from the testis to the duct of the epididymis

1. 2 Lobules of epididymis (lobuli epididymidis)

• each lobule is formed by a single highly convoluted efferent ductule

1. 3 Duct of epididymis (ductus epididymidis)

• a highly convoluted duct of the epididymis, where spermatozoa definitively mature

1. 4 Ductus deferens – a duct connecting the duct of the epididymis with the prostate and urethra

External Structure:

1. 1 Head of epididymis (caput epididymidis)

• the cranial part of the head of the epididymis is formed by the efferent ductules

1. 2 Body of epididymis (corpus epididymidis)

• is formed by the convoluted duct of the epididymis

1. 3 Tail of epididymis (cauda epididymidis)

• the caudal part of the epididymis
• connects to the ductus deferens

1. 4 Sinus of epididymis (sinus epididymidis)

• a peritoneal fold
• the visceral layer of the tunica vaginalis (tunica vaginalis testis) between the testis and epididymis

Supporting ligaments

1. 5 Superior ligament of epididymis (ligamentum epididymidis superius)

• connects the upper pole of the testis to the epididymis

1. 6 Inferior ligament of epididymis (ligamentum epididymidis inferius)

• connects the lower pole of the testis to the epididymis

1. 7 Scrotal ligament (ligamentum scrotale)

• connects the epididymis and testis to the caudal aspect of the scrotum
• a remnant of the gubernaculum testis