Deferens

/ˈdɛfərɛnz/ noun

Definition

The vas deferens; the tube in the male reproductive system that carries sperm from the testicle.

Etymology

From Latin vas deferens 'carrying vessel,' from differre 'to carry away.' Medieval anatomists used Latin names for body parts, and this literally means 'the carrying-away vessel.'

Kelly Says

Anatomists named this tube so matter-of-factly using Latin—vas deferens just means 'the tube that carries it away'—yet today it's a word that makes people giggle in biology class. Same direct Latin terminology, different era's sensibilities.

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