The term paradidymis (pl.: paradidymides; organ of Giraldés[2]) is applied to a small collection of convoluted tubules, situated in front of the lower part of the spermatic cord, above the head of the epididymis.
| Paradidymis | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Precursor | Mesonephric tubules[1]: 185 |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | paradidymis |
| TA98 | A09.3.03.001 |
| TA2 | 3614 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
These tubes are lined with columnar ciliated epithelium, and probably represent the remains of a part of the Wolffian body, like the epididymis, but are functionless and vestigial. The Wolffian body operates as a kidney (mesonephros) in fishes and amphibians, but the corresponding tissue is co-opted to form parts of the male reproductive system in other classes of vertebrate. The paradidymis represents a remnant of an unused, atrophied part of the Wolffian body.[citation needed]
The paradidymis is homologous to the female paroophoron, as they both arise from mesonephric tubules.[1]: 177
References
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This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1246 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ a b Fix, James D.; Dudek, Ronald W. (1998). Embryology. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-30272-8.
Vestigial remnants of the mesonephric tubules called the epoöphoron and paroöphoron may be found in the adult female.
- ^ synd/1375 at Who Named It?
