Gubernaculum 1638519 169795472 2007-11-07T05:39:42Z Arcadian 104523 outline {{Infobox Embryology | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = gubernaculum | GraySubject = 252 | GrayPage = 1211 | Image = Gray1138.png | Caption = Sagittal section through the pelvis of a newly born female child. (Label for round ligament of uterus visible at upper right.) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | System = | Days = 60 | CarnegieStage = | Precursor = [[Intermediate mesoderm]] | GivesRiseTo = [[Gubernaculum testis]] (males), [[suspensory ligament of ovary]], [[round ligament of uterus]], [[ovarian ligament]] (females) | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = g_13 | DorlandsSuf = 12403750 | }} {{dablink|This article refers to the structure in mammals. For the term in parasitology, see [[Gubernaculum (parasitology)]].}} The paired '''gubernacula''' are folds of [[peritoneum]] that attach to the [[Caudal#Directions|caudal]] end of the [[gonad]]s ([[testis|testes]] in males and [[ovary|ovaries]] in females). ==Function during development== As the [[scrotum]] and [[labia majora]] form in males and females, respectively, the gubernaculum aids in the descent of the gonads (both testes and ovaries). The testis descends to a greater degree than the ovary and ultimately pass through the [[inguinal canal]]. ==Adult structures== The gubernaculum is present only during the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]], being replaced by distinct vestiges in males and females. ===Males=== In ''males'': * The upper part of the gubernaculum degenerates. * The lower part persists as the [[gubernaculum testis]] ("scrotal ligament"). This ligament secures the testis to the most inferior portion of the scrotum, tethering it in place and limiting the degree to which the testis can move within the scrotum. ===Females=== In ''females'': * The upper part of the gubernaculum, together with the [[ovarian artery]] and [[ovarian vein|vein]] form the [[suspensory ligament of the ovary]],<ref>{{EmbryologySwiss|ugenital/diffmorpho05}}</ref> which suspends the ovary from the pelvic wall. * The lower gubernaculum has two vestigial remnants in females, the [[ovarian ligament]] and the [[round ligament of the uterus]] (''ligamentum teres uteri'') which respectively serve to support the ovaries and uterus in the pelvis. ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|36|06|01|01}} - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: The Scrotal Ligament" * {{eMedicineDictionary|Gubernaculum}} {{developmental-biology-stub}} {{Development of urinary and reproductive systems}} [[Category:Abdomen]] [[category:Embryology]]