Paradidymis

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
PrecursorMesonephric tubules[1]: 185 
Identifiers
Latinparadidymis
TA98A09.3.03.001
TA23614
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.

The paradidymis is homologous to the female paroophoron, as they both arise from mesonephric tubules.[1]: 177 

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1246 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 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.
  2. synd/1375 at Who Named It?
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