The vas deferens (ductus deferens) is a thick-walled muscular tube about 45 cm long that carries sperm from the tail of the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. It travels up in the spermatic cord, through the inguinal canal, across the pelvic wall and behind the bladder. Near its end it widens into the ampulla and joins the duct of the seminal vesicle.
| Location | From the tail of the epididymis, up the spermatic cord, through the inguinal canal, over the pelvic brim and posterior to the bladder to join the seminal vesicle duct |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Inferior hypogastric plexus (sympathetic, for emission) |
| Blood Supply | Artery to the ductus deferens (from the superior or inferior vesical artery) |
| Venous drainage | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct by strong muscular contractions during emission.
The vas feels like a firm cord when the spermatic cord is rolled between finger and thumb, which makes it easy to reach for vasectomy. After vasectomy sperm are no longer in the ejaculate, though it takes several weeks and a semen test to confirm. Congenital absence of both vasa is strongly linked to cystic fibrosis gene mutations.
Surgical cutting and sealing of the vas for contraception; complications include bruising, infection and chronic scrotal pain.
Absence of both vasa from birth, causing infertility and often associated with cystic fibrosis gene mutations.
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