Wolffian duct
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218117693
2008-06-09T06:28:33Z
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/* Female development */
{{Infobox Embryology |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = d. mesonephricus, d. Wolffi |
GraySubject = 252 |
GrayPage = 1205 |
Image = Gray1109.png |
Caption = [[Urogenital sinus]] of female human [[embryo]] of eight and a half to nine weeks old. |
Image2 = Image19.png |
Caption2 = Transverse section of a chick embryo of forty-five hours’ incubation. |
System = |
Days = 28 |
CarnegieStage = 11 |
Precursor = [[intermediate mesoderm]] |
GivesRiseTo = [[ureteric bud]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = d_29 |
DorlandsSuf = 12314957 |
}}
The '''Wolffian duct''' (also known as '''archinephric duct''', '''Leydig's duct''', '''mesonephric duct''', or '''nephric duct''') is a paired [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]] found in mammals including [[human]]s during [[embryogenesis]].
It connects the primitive kidney [[Wolffian body]] (or ''[[mesonephros]]'') to the [[cloaca]] and serves as the [[anlage]] for certain male [[reproductive organ]]s.
==Development==
[[Image:Gray1110.png|thumb|left|250px|Wolffian duct (red) degenerates in females (middle image) and develops in males (bottom).]]
In both the male and the female the Wolffian duct develops in to the [[trigone of urinary bladder]], a part of the bladder wall. However, further development differentiates between the sexes in the [[development of the urinary and reproductive organs]].
===Male development===
In a [[male]], it develops into a system of connected organs between the [[testis]] and the prostate, namely the [[rete testis]], the [[efferent ducts]], the [[epididymis]], the [[vas deferens]], the [[seminal vesicle]], and the [[prostate]].
For this it is critical that the ducts are exposed to [[testosterone]] during [[embryogenesis]]. [[Testosterone]] binds to and activates [[androgen receptor]], affecting intracellular signals and modifying the expression of numerous genes.<ref name="pmid16567946">{{cite journal |author=Hannema SE, Print CG, Charnock-Jones DS, Coleman N, Hughes IA |title=Changes in gene expression during Wolffian duct development |journal=Horm. Res. |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=200–9 |year=2006 |pmid=16567946 |doi=10.1159/000092408}}</ref>
In the mature male, the function of this system is to store and mature [[spermatozoon|sperm]], and provide accessory [[semen]] fluid.
===Female development===
In the [[female]], in the absence of testosterone support, the Wolffian ducts regresses,and inclusions may persist. The [[epoophoron]] and [[Skene's glands]] may be present. Also, lateral to the wall of the vagina a [[Gartner's duct]] or cyst could develop as a remnant.
==History==
It is named after [[Caspar Friedrich Wolff]] who described the [[mesonephros]] and its ducts in his [[dissertation]] in [[1759]].<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|2845}}</ref>
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray29.png|Diagram of a transverse section, showing the mode of formation of the amnion in the chick.
Image:Gray986.png|Reconstruction of a human embryo of 17 mm.
Image:Gray992.png|Cloaca of human embryo from twenty-five to twenty-seven days old.
Image:Gray1108.png|Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron.
Image:Gray1111.png|Transverse section of human embryo eight and a half to nine weeks old.
Image:Gray1115.png|Tail end of human embryo twenty-five to twenty-nine days old.
Image:Gray1116.png|Tail end of human embryo thirty-two to thirty-three days old.
Image:Gray1117.png|Tail end of human embryo; from eight and a half to nine weeks old.
Image:Gray1118.png|Primitive kidney and bladder, from a reconstruction.
</gallery>
== See also ==
* [[Fetal genitalia]]
* [[List of homologues of the human reproductive system]]
* [[Masculinization]]
* [[Sexual differentiation]]
* [[Müllerian duct]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{MedicalMnemonics|1266|||}}
{{Development of urinary and reproductive systems}}
[[Category:Urinary system]]
[[Category:Developmental biology]]
[[de:Urnierengang]]
[[fr:Canal de Wolff]]
[[ru:Вольфов канал]]
[[uk:Вольфів канал]]