epididymiksessä

Epididymis is a coiled tube located on the back of the testis that stores and carries sperm. It is approximately 6 meters long and is composed of the head, body, and tail. Sperm mature and gain motility as they travel through the epididymis. This process takes about 10 to 14 days. The epididymis is essential for male fertility, as it ensures that sperm are fully functional by the time they are ejaculated.

The epididymis is divided into three regions: the caput (head), corpus (body), and cauda (tail). The caput is where sperm first enter from the seminiferous tubules. Here, they undergo changes that prepare them for maturation. The corpus is where sperm continue to mature and gain motility. The cauda is the storage site for mature sperm, where they are held until ejaculation. During ejaculation, the smooth muscle in the walls of the epididymis contracts, propelling the sperm through the vas deferens.

The epididymis plays a crucial role in the male reproductive system. It is responsible for sperm maturation, storage, and transport. Without a functional epididymis, sperm would not be able to fertilize an egg. Conditions affecting the epididymis, such as epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis, can lead to infertility.