The epididymis is one of the organs of the male reproductive system, which plays a role in the fertilization process, and in the following article we will talk about what is this part of the reproductive system? What is its importance to the body? In addition to knowing the most important diseases that may affect him.

What is epididymis?

It is an organ that is a long, coiled tube, located inside the scrotum and attached to the testicles, and it is called in English (Epididymis).

The epididymis of an uninfected human can be about 20 feet long, and it takes two to four days for sperm to travel from one end of the tube to the other.

It consists of three parts:

• Head: It is the place where the sperms enter the epididymis from the testicles, and at this stage the sperms are not mobile.
• Body: This is where the sperm begin to gain the ability to move.
• Tail: It is the place where the sperm is stored, for a period of up to a few days.

The structure of the epididymis changes along the path from the testicles to the vas deferens. The walls of the tube are thicker at the head, then the thickness decreases along the tube to the tail. As the walls become thinner, more water is absorbed into the body, and thus the sperm concentration increases.

epididymis function

The main function of the epididymis is the transportation and maturation of sperm. Sperm are exposed to a number of signals from the special cells of the epididymis, which prompt them to mature and gain the ability to propel themselves forward.

After that, the sperms pass through it, from the testicles to the vas deferens, before they are mixed with different secretions at the time of ejaculation.

Diseases of the epididymis

There are many acquired health conditions that can affect the health of this organ, such as:

1. Epididymitis

It is the most common condition in epididymal disease, and in adult men it may occur as a result of a sexually transmitted infection, such as gonorrhea. In children and adolescents, the infection is more likely to be caused by urinary tract infections or undiagnosed anatomical abnormalities.

We advise you to read our article on the treatment of inflammation of the epididymis, to learn more about what are the symptoms of the disease, and how it can be treated, in addition to the most important tips for treatment.

2. Infertility

Certain types of infertility may also be associated with epididymal health, such as:

• Obstructive azoospermia, which is a blockage that prevents the passage of sperm, which may be partial or complete blockage, but not all cases of obstructive azoospermia are caused by blockage of the epididymis, as it may occur as a result of infection, congenital abnormalities, or injuries.
• The vasectomy may also affect his health, as it is a process that disrupts and blocks the vas deferens, thus preventing sperm from entering the semen, which leads to the accumulation of sperm in the epididymis and may damage it.

3. Epididymal Cyst

It is a fluid-filled sac located in the epididymis, and its symptoms include:

• Mild pain and redness in the scrotum.
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
• Feeling of pressure below the penis.
• Swelling or hardening of the testicle.
• Pain in the groin or lower back and abdomen.

Doctors do not know yet, what are the reasons behind the occurrence of this disease, and these cysts are treated only if they cause pain or discomfort, usually these cysts get smaller with time, and the body absorbs fluids from the cyst.

Inflammation differs from cystic disease, as inflammation is painful and is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Is swelling of the epididymis normal?

The presence of any bloating in the body is an abnormal situation, so when bloating is present, you must speak with the doctor immediately for a diagnosis, whether it is a manual examination or ultrasound, and thus know the appropriate treatment for bloating.