New insights into the morphogenesis of the gubernaculum testis and the inguinal canal

Abstract

There is no consensus about the role of the gubernaculum testis (GT). Nineteen human embryos (Carnegie stages 15-23), 36 fetuses (9 weeks to term), and eight neonates were examined. All the embryos and 25 fetuses (from weeks 9-16) were processed for paraffin wax histology and serially sectioned at 10 µm thickness. The remaining 11 fetuses and the eight neonates were fresh specimens that were dissected under a surgical microscope. The GT appeared during the embryonic period (stages 17-23) with a horseshoe-shaped mesenchyme condensation of the superior concavity, which was observed in four different topographical regions sequentially through development. The GT was not attached at either of its ends in any of the specimens, not to the gonad or in the scrotal sac. The inguinal canal differentiates around the inguinal portion of the GT during the late embryonic period. After stage 21, the GT appears enveloped by an evagination of the peritoneal cavity. It has few striate muscular fibers and vessels. Although the GT does not appear to have the role traditionally attributed to it, it is still an essential structure and indirectly facilitates the descent of the testes. It contributes to the formation of the inguinal canal and then forges the pathway that the testes will subsequently take through the inguinal canal as they migrate from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal sac. Clin. Anat. 30:599-607, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hypogonadism and Cryptorchidism

“…The developing testis is anchored by two structuresthe cranial suspensory ligament attaching the upper pole of the testis to the diaphragm and the genitoinguinal ligament (gubernaculum) anchoring the testis to the future inguinal area via the epididymis (77,78). Testicular descent from the abdomen to the scrotum is a complex process that is divided into two phases-transabdominal phase and inguinoscrotal phase (23, 46).…”

“…AMH may also have a role in testicular descent by causing shortening of the gubernacular cord (84). The inguinal canal is formed around the gubernaculum from early fetal life, and enlargement of gubernaculum causes dilatation of the inguinal canal, facilitating later testicular descent (77,85,86). At the end of this phase, the testis is located near the deep inguinal ring.…”

Case Report of a Pelvic Crossed Fused Renal Ectopic Kidney

“…An HSK with a CFRE is a rare anomaly, which can be clinically significant. As clinicians, it is essential to understand variations of the kidneys and their symptomologies [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Additionally, such variations may be relevant to surgeons when planning lateral surgeries such as the extreme lateral interbody fusion of the lumbar spine due to variations in the vasculature of a CFRE.…”

Embryology of the Abdominal Wall and Associated Malformations—A Review

“…As the testis differentiates intraabdominally, its descent must be through the IC guided by the gubernaculum testis (GT) ( Figure 13 ). The gubernaculum originates in two triangular mesenchymal condensations, the inguinal plica dorsal to the Wolffian duct and the inguinal crista opposite the plica ( 141 ). The growth and differentiation of the GT is induced by insulin-like 3, which secreted by Leydig cells ( 142 , 143 ).…”