Histology - Ductus Deferens
Ductus deferens (aka, vas deferens)
- Continuous with the epididymis; it ascends to enter the pelvis, then passes over the urinary bladder and ureter. Indicate the ampulla, which is the widened end of the ductus deferens
- Is a muscular tube that actively conducts sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct; this transport occurs during the emission phase of ejaculation
- Three sublayers of smooth muscle:
- Inner longitudinal, intermediate circular, and outer longitudinal.
- These three layers provide the peristaltic contractions necessary to move sperm from the epididymis, into the body via the spermatic cord, and around the urinary bladder to reach the ejaculatory duct.
- Mucosal folds are covered in epithelia:
- Columnar cells with their stereocilia
- Basal cells that rest on lamina propria