286 



HISTOLOGY. 



uterine tube 



epoopiioron 



paroophoron 



appendix 

 vesiculosa 



oi'nry 



to do with the Miillerian ducts. This opinion seems to rest on the incon- 

 clusive evidence that persistent Wolffian ducts in the adult may open into 

 the vagina at some distance above the hymen. 



The portions of the Miillerian ducts which do not fuse remain as the 

 uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes). Each opens freely through its fimbriated 

 extremity into the abdominal cavity. Cystic appendages of the fimbriae 

 have been described, and rarely there are accessory openings into the 

 peritonaeal cavity. The uterine tubes, instead of being vertical as in the 

 embryo, tend to become horizontal. The change in position is associ- 

 ated with the partial de- 

 scent of the ovaries. The 

 ovarian ligament and the 

 round ligament of the uterus 

 represent the lower portion 

 of the genital ridge and the 

 gubernaculum testis of the 

 male. The round ligament 

 is a cord of connective tis- 

 sue, containing smooth and 

 striated muscle fibers. 



The Wolffian tubules 

 in the female remain as 

 from 8 to 20 transverse 

 ducts, corresponding with 

 the ductuli efferentes. 

 They follow a tortuous 

 course from the longitudi- 

 nal duct (a part of the Wolff- 

 ian) to the ovary, near 

 which they terminate, some- 

 times in small cystic enlarge- 

 ments. The longitudinal duct, which corresponds with the ductus epididy- 

 midis, ends blindly at both ends. In from 20 to 60% of cases it terminates 

 distally in a little cyst, the appendix vesiculosa, which is lodged in a nod- 

 ule of tissue attached to the broad ligament by a slender pedicle. Some- 

 times there are two or three such appendices. The structure consisting 

 of the transverse and longitudinal ducts, which corresponds with the epi- 

 didymis, is called the epoophoron [no longer parovarium or organ of Ro- 

 senmuller]. It is a functionless remnant of the Wolman body lodged in 

 the mesentery of the uterine tube, where it may easily be found. The 

 paroophoron, a small vestige of Wolffian tubules, occurs nearer the uterus 



major vestibular gland 



*<?,/?'-": - ' S ^7 



>^. 77' 



clitoris 



^<m^ 



' vestibule 



FIG. 326. DIAGRAM OF THE FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS. 



