Which structures carry sperm from the testes to the urethra?

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The structures that carry sperm from the testes to the urethra are collectively known as the sperm canal, which consists of the epididymis, the ductus deferens, and the ejaculatory ducts.1

The transport process follows this sequence:

  • Epididymis: Sperm produced in the testes are first transported through small ducts called ductuli efferentes into the epididymis, where they mature and are stored.21
  • Ductus Deferens: As sperm leave the tail of the epididymis, they enter the ductus deferens (also known as the vas deferens). This thick-walled tube uses peristaltic contractions to move sperm toward the pelvic region.13
  • Ejaculatory Ducts: Near the base of the prostate, the ductus deferens joins with the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct. These ducts then open into the urethra, which serves as the final pathway for sperm to exit the body.145