Paradidymis
Structure of the male reproductive system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
