Thevas deferens (orductus deferens)[1] is aduct in a man’s body. It is also present in other malevertebrates. Its function is to carry sperm away from thetestes, towards thepenis.
There are two of these ducts, which are tubes surrounded bysmooth muscle. They connect the left and rightepididymis to theejaculatory ducts in order to movesperm. Each tube is about 30 centimeters long. Duringejaculation the smooth muscle in the wall of the vas deferens contracts. That pushes the sperm toward the penis. The sperm go from the vas deferens into theurethra. Other male sex glands push out at the same time.
There is a surgery calledvasectomy that is a method ofcontraception. The two vasa deferentia (Latin plural) are cut and sealed, so the sperm cannot get out of the body. This is usually permanent, but in some cases, it can be reversed. Sometimes instead of cutting the vas deferentia, thesurgeon puts something to block the sperm instead of cutting them.
- ↑Latin: "carrying-away vessel"
