What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that renders a man sterile. Before the surgery takes place, it is helpful to understand the specifics of the procedure. To begin with, you should have some basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system as shown in Figure 1. During intercourse, sperm cells travel from the testicles through the vasa deferentia, become part of the seminal fluid (which is produced by the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland), and are ejaculated through the penis. When the surgeon performs a vasectomy, he cuts through the vas deferens (plural is vasa deferentia) extending from each testicle. He then removes a small segment of the vas deferens and ties off the two remaining ends, Figure 2. The object of the procedure is to make it impossible for the sperm to become part of the seminal fluid. Since conception cannot take place in the absence of sperm, a vasectomy results in permanent male sterilization.
