The male reproductive system consists of a number of external and internal organs. The male reproductive organs that lie within the pelvic cavity include the ductus deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, and prostate.

These organs are all important in the transportation and protection of sperm cells as they move from the testis to eventually reach the penis.

Let’s start with the ductus deferens or the vas deferens, which are paired tubes that carry mature sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.

The ductus deferens begins at the inferior pole of the testis as a continuation of the last part of the epididymis, called the tail of the epididymis.

Then, it ascends posterior to the testis and medial to the epididymis to enter the spermatic cord, which is a cord-like structure that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity.

Finally, the ductus deferens penetrates the anterior abdominal wall through the inguinal canal and crosses the external iliac vessels to enter the pelvic cavity.

Here, the ductus deferens runs along the lateral wall of the pelvis, external to the parietal peritoneum.

At the posterolateral angle of the urinary bladder, the ductus deferens crosses the ureter, reaching the fundus of the bladder.

A way to remember the relationship between the ductus deferens and the ureter is the phrase, “Bridge over troubled water” where the ductus deferens is crossing over the ureter which is carrying urine to the bladder.