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Egg attachment
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021
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The epididymis is located along the posterior edge of the testicle. There are rounded enlarged upper part - the head of the epididymis epididymis (caput epididymidis), passing into the middle part - the body of the epididymis (corpus epididymidis). The body of the epididymis continues into the tapering lower part - the tail of the epididymis (cauda epididymidis). On the head of the epididymis there is an appendage of the appendage of the testicle (appendix epididymidis) in the form of a vesicle on the stem, which is a rudimentary process of the meso-neural duct. In the region of the head and tail of the appendage there may be blindly terminating tubules - diverging ducts (ductuli aberrantes) - the remains of the mesonephros (melanotrophic) tubules.
Behind the head of the appendage in the connective tissue lies a flat whitish formation, well expressed in children, an appendage of a testicle (paradidymis), also a rudiment of mesonephros.
The serous membrane covering the testicle also passes to the epididymis, and from the lateral side it goes into the depression between the testicle and the epididymis, lining the sinus of the epididymis (sinus epididymidis). The testicles of the testicles, which have a convoluted course, form in the epididymis a conical form of the lobule (cones) of the epididymis (lobuli epididymidis), separated by thin connective tissue septa. In the epididymis there are 12-15 lobules. Each canaliculus lobules flows into the duct of the epididymis (ductus epididymidis), which forms numerous bends all over the epididymis. The duct of the appendage of the testicle in straightened form is 6-8 m long. In the caudal part of the appendage its duct passes into the vas deferens.
The mucous membrane of the duct of the epididymis is lined with a pseudo-layered (multi-row) cylindrical epithelium. Cylindrical epitheliocytes on the apical surface have cytoplasmic outgrowths (stereocilli). Intercalary cells are located between the basal part of the cylindrical epitheliocytes. The epithelium of the duct of the epididymis is located on the basal membrane. He takes part in the formation of a fluid that facilitates the passage of spermatozoa along the vas deferens. Epitheliocytes also produce glycocalyx, which covers the spermatozoa with a thin layer. Simultaneously, the epididymis is the reservoir where spermatozoa accumulate, here they mature biochemically. When leaving the appendage, the spermatozoa, however, are not completely mature and ready for fertilization.
Male sex cells (spermatozoa) are produced only in the convoluted seminiferous tubules of the testicle. All other tubules and ducts of the testicle and epididymis are the vas deferens. Spermatozoa are part of the sperm, the liquid part of which is represented by the secretion of seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.
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