2002 HUMAN ANATOMY. 



segment, the duct is present in about twenty per cent. (Merkel) of adult subjects, in 

 children being relatively better developed. When complete, as it exceptionally is, 

 the duct continues from the epoophoron along the Fallopian tube to the fundus of 

 the uterus, then descends within the lateral border of the uterus, between the vessels, 

 and sooner or later (usually in the lower part of the body) enters the uterine muscle. 

 As it traverses the cervix, the duct becomes more and more medially placed until, in 

 the supravaginal segment, it approaches the mucosa. The duct then assumes a more 

 lateral course, and in the vagina descends within the muscular coat, at first along the 

 side and lov^er more on the anterior wall, to end blindly in the vicinity of the hymen 

 (R. Meyer). Such complete persistence is, however, very unusual, Gartner's duct 

 being most frequently represented in the lower part of the body and the upper part 

 of the cervix, less often in the cervical segment alone (Maudach). The canal is lined 

 by a single layer of columnar epithelium and beset with lateral diverticula, uncertain 

 in number and form, which in the lower part of the duct are often short-branched 

 tubules that resemble glands. Accumulations of secretion within the tubules or the 

 duct may lead to the production of cysts. 



The Paroophoron. — Under this name Waldeyer described an inconspicuous 

 rudimentary organ, distinct at birth, but usually disappearing, and only exceptionally 

 retained after the second year, that lies between the layers of the mesosalpinx medially 

 to the epoophoron and, therefore, nearer the uterus. It consists of a small, flat, 

 irregularly round group of blind canals, which represent the remains of Wolffian 

 tubules. The accuracy of Waldeyer' s assumption that this organ is homologous with 

 the paradidymis (page 1950) has been challenged by later investigators (Aschoff, 

 R. Meyer), who have discovered similar groups of rudimentary tubules within the 

 lateral part of the mesosalpinx near the division of the ovarian artery, in a position 

 corresponding to that of the paradidymis. It is to this group, therefore, that the 

 term, paroophoron, may be applied with greater propriety, although there can be 

 little doubt that both sets of tubules are deviations from those of the W^olffian body. 

 The tubules are blind, lined with columnar epithelium, and in places resemble the 

 tortuous canals of the Wolffian body. Apart from their interesting morphological 

 relations, they may become of importance as the seat of cysts. 



Vesicular Appendages. — Under this heading are included the little vesicles or 

 hydatids (appendices vesiculosi) attached to the broad ligament by longer or shorter 

 pedicles. These structures present two general groups, the first including the con- 

 spicuous long-stalked hydatids of Morgagni, and the second the smaller \'esicles, vary- 

 ing in form and size, connected by short stems. The hydatid of Morgagni, present 

 on one or both sides in fifty per cent, or over of all female subjects, is a spherical or 

 pyriform thin-walled sac, that contains a clear fluid, and usually measures from 4-8 

 mm. in diameter, but sometimes much more, and is attached by a slender stalk 

 (from 1.5-4 cm. in length) to the anterior surface of the broad ligament. Traced 

 towards the latter, the stalk crosses the ovarian or other fimbriae without being 

 attached and sinks into the mesosalpinx about i cm. from its free border, from which 

 point it may be followed through the broad ligament to the upper end of the main or 

 longitudinal duct of the epoophoron, as the continuation of which it may be identified 

 (Watson). In structure the hydatid consists of a fibrous coat,, lined by a layer of 

 columnar epithelium and covered externally with a delicate prolongation of the peri- 

 toneum. The smaller vesicles, present in about twenty per cent. (Rossa), often num- 

 ber two or three on each side, and are attached to the anterior surface of the mesosal- 

 pinx, usually over the epoophoron. They are found at birth and even in the foetus, 

 as well as later in life, in advanced age undergoing atrophy The origin and mor- 

 phological significance of the vesicular appendages have occasioned much discussion, 

 but it may be accepted as established that the chief hydatid of Morgagni is derived 

 from the upper end of the Wolffian (pronephric) duct, and is, therefore, the equivalent 

 of the stalked appendage of the epididymis (page 1949). The smaller vesicles prob- 

 ably owe their origin to the distention- and elongation of the transverse canals of the 

 epoophoron (Rossa), and, hence, are derivatives of the Wolffian tubules. 



