epididymis

noun ep·i·did·y·mis \ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-məs\

plural ep·i·did·y·mi·des\-mə-ˌdēz\

Definition of EPIDIDYMIS

: 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

— ep·i·did·y·mal \-məl\ adjective

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Origin of EPIDIDYMIS

New Latin, from Greek, from epi- + didymos testicle, twin, from dyo two — more at two

First Known Use: 1610

Medical Dictionary

epididymis

noun ep·i·did·y·mis \ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs\

plural ep·i·did·y·mi·des \-mə-ˌdēz\

Medical Definition of EPIDIDYMIS

: 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

—ep·i·did·y·mal \-məl\ adjective