(Wolffian body) n. the second area of kidney tissue to develop in the embryo. Its excretory function only lasts for a very brief period before it degenerates. However, parts of it become incorporated into the male reproductive structures. Its duct – the Wolffian (or mesonephric) duct – persists in males as the epididymis and vas deferens, which conduct sperm from the testis. —mesonephric adj.
vaginal cysts, usually small, that arise from Gartner’s duct – remnants of the Wolffian duct (see mesonephros) in females. No treatment is necessary if the cysts are small and not symptomatic, but surgical *marsupialization or excision may be required if they are large and cause obstruction. [H. T. Gartner (1785–1827), Danish surgeon and anatomist]... gartner’s duct cysts
(paramesonephric duct) either of the paired ducts that form adjacent to the Wolffian ducts (see mesonephros) in the embryo. In the female these ducts develop into the Fallopian tubes, uterus, and part of the vagina. In the male anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced by the fetal testis, arrests their development and by the tenth week of fetal life they have degenerated almost completely. In females AMH is produced by the ovary and levels are used as a measure of certain aspects of ovarian function, such as response to in vitro fertilization and assessing such conditions as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and intersex conditions in infants. [J. P. Müller (1801–58), German physiologist]... müllerian duct
either of the paired ridges of tissue that run along the dorsal surface of the abdominal cavity of the embryo. Parts of it develop into the kidney, ovary, or testis and their associated ducts. Intermediate stages of these developments are the *pronephros, *mesonephros, and *metanephros.... nephrogenic cord
n. the vestigial remains of part of the Wolffian duct (see mesonephros) in the female, situated next to each ovary. It is associated with a similar structure, the epoophoron. Both are without known function.... paroophoron
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