epididymis

Term: epididymis

Literally meaning: “that which is on the testicles”

Origin: Anc Greek

 επί-/epi-(= “upon”, “on”, “besides” “in addition”)

δίδυμος/didimos(=twin) > δύο/dyo(=double, two)

Coined/History

by Greek anatomist Her ophilus (c.300 B.C.E.) who gave an accurate description of spermativ ducts. The epididymis was described Hippocrates  previously had the used term parastata (παρίστημι=stand near).

Definition

Epididymis is the  the coiled tube, part of the spermatic duct system, on the back of the testicle that serves to store, mature and transport spermatozoa.