Wolffian duct 414273 218117693 2008-06-09T06:28:33Z 32.158.123.165 /* 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]]