Organ
Ductus deferens (vas deferens)
Muscular transport from epididymal tail to ejaculatory duct
High-yield
Near the bladder, the ductus passes superior to the ureter. Its ampulla joins the seminal vesicle duct to form the ejaculatory duct.
Overview
The ductus deferens carries sperm from the epididymal tail into the pelvis. Its thick smooth-muscle wall surrounds a relatively narrow lumen, giving the duct a firm feel within the cord. Behind the bladder it widens into an ampulla before joining the seminal vesicle duct.
Reference facts
- Location
- Runs from the epididymal tail through the spermatic cord and inguinal canal, then along the pelvic wall toward the posterior bladder.
- Parts
- Scrotal/cord, inguinal and pelvic portions, ending in an ampulla before the ejaculatory duct junction.
- Blood supply
- A deferential artery usually arises from a vesical branch of the internal iliac system; origin and connections with testicular/cremasteric arteries vary.
- Innervation
- Sympathetic fibers through hypogastric and pelvic plexuses promote the contractions of emission.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Regional veins join pampiniform and vesical networks; pelvic portions have iliac lymphatic connections.
- Relations
- Turns medially after entering the pelvis, crosses above the ureter near the bladder, and approaches the seminal vesicle medially.
- Function
- Propels sperm from epididymal storage toward the prostatic urethra during emission.
Clinical correlation
Vasectomy interrupts this sperm pathway without stopping testicular hormone production. Congenital bilateral absence of the ductus is often associated with CFTR variants and causes obstructive infertility despite possible preservation of sperm production.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the ductus deferens (vas deferens) located?
Runs from the epididymal tail through the spermatic cord and inguinal canal, then along the pelvic wall toward the posterior bladder.
What does the ductus deferens (vas deferens) do?
Propels sperm from epididymal storage toward the prostatic urethra during emission.
What are the parts of the ductus deferens (vas deferens)?
The parts of the ductus deferens (vas deferens) are the scrotal/cord, inguinal and pelvic portions, ending in an ampulla before the ejaculatory duct junction.
What is the blood supply of the ductus deferens (vas deferens)?
A deferential artery usually arises from a vesical branch of the internal iliac system; origin and connections with testicular/cremasteric arteries vary.