What is Epididymitis and how is it treated?
The epididymis is a crescent shaped structure. It runs down the middle of the back of the testis from top to bottom. It functions to carry the sperm from the testes (where they are produced) to the vas deferens, which is a muscular tube that carries the sperm. The epididymis is more susceptible to infection than the other structures in the scrotum and this infection is called epididymitis. Infections can subsequently lead to scar tissue, which can block the sperm from moving through it and trap it in the testes (or the part of the epididymis before the blockage). The sperm are still being produced; they are just not able to come through. If this happens on both sides a man may have no sperm in the ejaculate.
