192 



UKOGEN1TAL SYSTEM 



the tubule as spermatogonia. The tubules of the rete testis have long been regarded 

 as probably derivatives of the Wolffian tubules, but recent work, more especially 

 of Coert and Allen, points to their origin, as indicated above, from the coelomic 

 epithelium as epithelial cords which afterwards acquire a lumen. They become 

 joined with the seminal tubules, and, growing towards the Wolffian body, they 

 open into the capsules of Bowman of some of the anterior Wolffian tubules. 



The interstitial cells of the testis are, like the corresponding cells of the ovary, 

 generally regarded as connective-tissue elements, but some observers describe 

 them as arising from the germinal epithelium. 



Genital ducts. The fate of the Wolffian body and Wolffian duct differs 

 in the sexes. In the male the duct persists as the canal of the epididymis, the 

 vas deferens, and ejaculatory duct : the seminal vesicle is formed as a diverticulum 



FIG 243. Two FIGURES EXHIBITING A COMPARISON BETWEEN PARTS OP THE GENERATIVE OKGANS IN 

 THE TWO SEXES. (From Farre, after Kobelt). 



A. ADULT OVARY, PAROVARIUM, AND FALLOPIAN TUBE. 



a, a, Epoophoron (parovarium) formed from the upper part of the Wolffian body ; b, remains of the 

 uppermost tubes, sometimes forming hydatids ; c, middle set of tubes : d, some lower atrophied tubes; 

 e, atrophied remains of the Wolffian duct ; f, the terminal bulb or hydatid ; h, the Fallopian tube, 

 originally the duct of Mliller ; i, hydatid attached to the extremity ; I, the ovary. 



B. THE ADULT TESTIS AND EPIDIDYMIS. 



a, a, convoluted tubes in the head of the epididymis developed from the upper part of the Wolffian 

 body ; b and /, hydatids in the head of the epididymis ; c, coni vasculosi ; d, vasa aberrantia ; 

 h, remains of the duct of Miiller with i, the hydatid of Morgagni, at its upper end ; I, body of the testis. 



from its lower end. Certain of the anterior tubules which have been joined by 

 the rete tubules remain as the coni vasculosi and vasa efferentia (fig. 243, B). 



The organ of Giraldes or paradidymis represents some tubules which have lost their 

 connexion with the duct, and the vasa aberrantia others which have not been connected with 

 the rete tubules or have secondarily lost their connexion with them. The head end of the 

 duct is said to persist as a stalked hydatid, and certain peritoneal tubules which have been 

 described are supposed to represent the remains of nephrostomes. 



In the female (fig. 243, A) the head end of the Wolffian body, which undergoes still 

 greater reduction than in the male, persists as the rudimentary organ known as the 

 parovarium. This consists of the head end of the duct and a number of tubules, 

 which lie in the mesosalpynx (epoophoron), and some remains of tubules in the 



