Pronephric duct 4765753 149352805 2007-08-05T15:03:43Z Arcadian 104523 infobox {{Infobox Embryology | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 252 | GrayPage = 1205 | Image = | Caption = | Image2 = | Caption2 = | System = | Precursor = [[intermediate mesoderm]] | GivesRiseTo = [[Wolffian duct]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = d_29 | DorlandsSuf = 12314334 | }} The '''pronephric duct''' is the predecessor of the [[Wolffian duct]]. ==Development== The development of the pronephric duct is a part of the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]]. In the outer part of the [[intermediate mesoderm]], immediately under the ectoderm, in the region from the fifth [[cervical segment]] to the third [[thoracic segment]], a series of short evaginations from each segment grows [[dorsally]] and extends [[caudally]], fusing successively from before backward to form the [[pronephric duct]]. This continues to grow caudalward until it opens into the ventral part of the [[cloaca]]; beyond the pronephros it is termed the [[Wolffian duct]]. Thus, the Wolffian duct is what remains of the pronephric duct after the atrophy of the pronephros. ==See also== * [[pronephros]] ==External links== * [http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/mcb131/handouts/Harland/kidneylung.htm Diagram at berkeley.edu] * [http://www.xenbase.org/xmmr/Marker_pages/crest/ets-1.html Photos at xenbase.org] {{developmental-biology-stub}} {{Development of urinary and reproductive systems}}[[Category:Embryology]]