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), a body ( corpus ) and a tail ( cauda ). On a level with the head of the epididymis the network of drainage tubes in the testicle connects to the narrow epididymal duct, and the tail then connects to the seminal duct, the ductus deferens .
    The blood supply comes both from the testicular artery and from its own epididymal artery. Drainage of blood takes place through the previously mentioned plexus pampiniformis . During a passage of several days through the epididymis the still infertile sperm cells mature into fertile cells. One of the most striking changes is an increase in the percentage of moving spermatozoa and their swimming speed.
    Biochemical changes in their surface increase the ability of sperm cells to attach themselves to the ovum.
    The epididymis is highly dependent on testosterone, and the head is exposed to high concentrations through the influx from the testicles.
    Further down stream in the epididymis, the concentration of testosterone is much lower. Besides the testosterone supply via the rete testis (testicular network of tubes), the epididymis is also supplied with testosterone via the bloodstream. The exposure of different sections of Caput
    Ductus
    deferens
    Cauda
    The epididymis.

    m a n h o o d
    the epididymis to different concentrations of testosterone make it a unique organ.
    At orgasm the sperm cell stored in the tail of the epididymis are forced into the seminal duct. The impetus is provided by the contraction of the smooth muscles in the wall of this long, tubular organ. If a man does not ejaculate for two weeks, sperm cells will appear spontaneously in his urine.
    The seminal duct
    The ductus deferens, between 30 and 40 cm long, links the epididymis with the urethra. Immediately before the actual ejaculation rhythmic contractions take place in the smooth muscle tissue of the wall, pro-pelling the sperm cells towards the ampoule and the urethra. This muscle-lined tube with a diameter of between 3 and 4 mm can be felt between the tail of the epididymis and the external groin opening. It feels like a liquorice shoelace. In this area the duct forms part of the seminal cord, which also consists of arteries and a network of veins, nerves and lymph vessels.
    The seminal cord is encased in structures originating from the abdominal wall, the fascia spermatica interna and the fascia spematica externa . Contained in this casing are the cremaster or transverse testi cular muscles. From the inner inguinal ring the seminal duct runs along the inside of the abdominal wall, passing behind the bladder to the centre of the prostate. Close to the prostate, between the bladder Fascia spermatica interna
    Musculus cremaster
    Fascia spermatica externa
    The covering of
    the seminal cord.

    t h e t e s t i c l e s a n d t h e s c ro t u m The appendices
    of the testicle and
    the epididymis.
    Paradidymis
    Appendix epididymis
    Vas aberrans
    Appendix testis
    superior
    Vas aberrans
    inferior
    and the rectum, the duct widens into the ampoule ( ampulla ductus deferentis ). Within the prostate the duct narrows to the ejaculatory duct, or ductus ejaculatorius . The two ejaculatory ducts discharge at a point near the verumontanum , a thickening in the rear wall of the urethra that runs right through the prostate.
    Appendices
    Attached to the testicle and the epididymis are a number of appendices that are polyp-shaped, up to 1 cm long and up to 2 cm in diameter.
    These are: the appendix testis (Morgagni’s hydatid), the appendix epididymis , the paradidymis (organ of Giraldis), the superior vas aberrans superior (Haller’s organ) and the vas aberrans inferior .
    An appendix testis is found in 90 per cent of men. It originates from remnants of Müller’s duct, a structure in the embryo from which female sex organs are made. The other appendices (remnants of mesonephric tubules) are much less common. An appendix to the epididymis is found in 30 per cent of men, the last three mentioned in a maximum of between 1 and 5 per cent.