Preferred Label : vas deferens;
Uberon definition : A secretory duct that transports sperm from the testis. In mammals this is a continuation
of the epididymis and ends in the prostatic urethra where it terminates to form ejaculatory
duct;
Uberon synonym : vas deferen; ductus deferens; deferent duct;
Uberon related term : sperm duct; vasa deferentia;
Uberon Homology note : The continuation of the archinephric duct, now called the deferent duct, extends caudally
to the cloaca or to the part of the mammalian urethra that is derived from the cloaca.[well
established][VHOG];
Uberon Taxon note : Most vertebrates have some form of duct to transfer the sperm from the testes to the
urethra. In cartilaginous fish and amphibians, sperm is carried through the archinephric
duct, which also partially helps to transport urine from the kidneys. In teleosts,
there is a distinct sperm duct, separate from the ureters, and often called the vas
deferens, although probably not truly homologous with that in humans. In cartilaginous
fishes, the part of the archinephric duct closest to the testis is coiled up to form
an epididymis. Below this are a number of small glands secreting components of the
seminal fluid. The final portion of the duct also receives ducts from the kidneys
in most species. In amniotes, however, the archinephric duct has become a true vas
deferens, and is used only for conducting sperm, never urine. As in cartilaginous
fish, the upper part of the duct forms the epididymis. In many species, the vas deferens
ends in a small sac for storing sperm. The only vertebrates to lack any structure
resembling a vas deferens are the primitive jawless fishes, which release sperm directly
into the body cavity, and then into the surrounding water through a simple opening
in the body wall.;
Origin ID : 0001000;
UMLS CUI : C0042360;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
- Currated CISMeF NLP mapping
- See also inter- (CISMeF)
- Semantic type(s)
- UMLS correspondences (same concept)
- Uberon cross reference
- contributes to morphology of
- has part
- part of
A secretory duct that transports sperm from the testis. In mammals this is a continuation
of the epididymis and ends in the prostatic urethra where it terminates to form ejaculatory
duct
