vas deferens

noun vas def·er·ens \ˈvas-ˈde-fə-rənz, -ˌrenz\

plural va·sa def·er·en·tia \ˈvā-zə-ˌde-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə\

Definition of VAS DEFERENS

: a sperm-carrying duct especially of a higher vertebrate that in the human male is a thick-walled tube about two feet (0.61 meters) long that begins at and is continuous with the tail of the epididymis and eventually joins the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct

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Origin of VAS DEFERENS

New Latin, literally, deferent vessel

First Known Use: 1578

Rhymes with VAS DEFERENS

definiens, locum tenens

Medical Dictionary

vas deferens

noun vas def·er·ens \-ˈdef-ə-rənz, -ˌrenz\

plural vasa def·er·en·tia \-ˌdef-ə-ˈren-ch(ē-)ə\

Medical Definition of VAS DEFERENS

: a sperm-carrying duct especially of a higher vertebrate that in humans is a small but thick-walled tube about two feet (0.6 meter) long formed by the union of the vasa efferentia, is greatly convoluted in its proximal portion, begins at and is continuous with the tail of the epididymis, runs in the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal, and descends into the pelvis where it joins the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct—called also ductus deferens, spermatic duct