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| Gubernaculum | |
|---|---|
 Sagittal section through the pelvis of a newly born female child. (Label for round ligament of uterus visible at upper right.) | |
| Details | |
| Days | 60 |
| Precursor | Intermediate mesoderm |
| Gives rise to | Gubernaculum testis (males),suspensory ligament of ovary,round ligament of uterus,ovarian ligament (females) |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | gubernaculum |
| MeSH | D000071477 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The pairedgubernacula (from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω = pilot, steer), also called thecaudal genital ligament, are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiatedmesenchyme attaching to thecaudal end of thegonads (testicles in males andovaries in females).
The gubernaculum is present only during thedevelopment of the reproductive system. It is later replaced by distinct vestiges in males and females. The gubernaculum arises in the upper abdomen from the lower end of the gonadal ridge and helps guide the testis in its descent to the inguinal region.
As thescrotum andlabia majora form in males and females respectively, the gubernaculum aids in the descent of the gonads (both testes and ovaries).[3]
The testes descend to a greater degree than theovaries and ultimately pass through theinguinal canal into thescrotum.[3] The mechanism of this movement is still debated.[3]
The gubernaculum was first described byJohn Hunter in 1762.[3] The term comes fromAncient Greek meaning to steer, pilot or therudder or helm.[3]
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