| Paradidymis | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Precursor | Mesonephric tubules[1]: 185 |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | paradidymis |
| TA98 | A09.3.03.001 |
| TA2 | 3614 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The termparadidymis (pl.:paradidymides;organ of Giraldés[2]) is applied to a small collection of convoluted tubules, situated in front of the lower part of thespermatic cord, above the head of theepididymis.
These tubes are lined withcolumnar ciliated epithelium, and probably represent the remains of a part of theWolffian body, like theepididymis, 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 ishomologous to the femaleparoophoron, as they both arise from mesonephric tubules.[1]: 177
This article incorporates text in thepublic domain frompage 1246 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
Vestigial remnants of the mesonephric tubules called the epoöphoron and paroöphoron may be found in the adult female.
