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Epoophoron

Epoophoron

Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. (From Farre, after Kobelt.) a, a. Epoöphoron formed from the upper part of the Wolffian body. b. Remains of the uppermost tubes sometimes forming appendices. 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 uterine tube, originally the duct of Müller. i. Appendix attached to the extremity. l. The ovary.

Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. The epoophoron is visible in upper right
Gray's	subject #252 1206
Precursor	mesonephric duct^[1]
Dorlands/Elsevier	e_13/12339465

The epoophoron (also called organ of Rosenmüller^[2]^[3] or the parovarium) is a remnant of the Wolffian duct that can be found next to the ovary and fallopian tube.

Additional recommended knowledge

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Anatomy

It may contain 10-15 transverse small ducts or tubules that lead to the Gartner’s duct (also longitudinal duct of epoophoron) that represents the caudal remnant of the Wolffian duct and passes through the broad ligament and the lateral wall of the cervix and vagina.

The epoophoron is a homologue to the epididymis in the male.

While the epoophoron is located in the lateral portion of the mesosalpinx and mesovarium, the paroophoron (residual remnant of that part of the Wolfian duct that forms the paradidymis in the male) lies more medially in the mesosalpinx.

Histology

It has a unique histological profile.^[4]^[5]

Clinical significance

Clinically the organ may give rise to a local paraovarian cyst or adenoma.

References

^ Netter, Frank H.; Cochard, Larry R. (2002). Netter's Atlas of human embryology. Teterboro, N.J: Icon Learning Systems, 173. ISBN 0-914168-99-1.
^ synd/2662 at Who Named It
^ J. C. Rosenmüller. De ovariis embryonum et foetuum humanorum. 1802.
^ Woolnough E, Russo L, Khan MS, Heatley MK (2000). "An immunohistochemical study of the rete ovarii and epoophoron". Pathology 32 (2): 77–83. PMID 10840824.
^ Russo L, Woolmough E, Heatley MK (2000). "Structural and cell surface antigen expression in the rete ovarii and epoophoron differs from that in the Fallopian tube and in endometriosis". Histopathology 37 (1): 64–9. PMID 10931220.

v • d • e Female reproductive system
Follicles/Folliculogenesis	corpus (hemorrhagicum, luteum, albicans) • Theca folliculi (externa, interna) • Follicular antrum (Follicular fluid) • Corona radiata • Zona pellucida • Membrana granulosa (Granulosa cells)
Ovaries/Oogenesis	Germinal epithelium • Tunica albuginea • cortex (Cumulus oophorus, Stroma) • Medulla
Fallopian tubes	Isthmus • Ampulla • Infundibulum • Fimbria
Ligaments	Broad (components: Mesovarium, Mesosalpinx, Mesometrium contents: Round of uterus, Proper of ovary) • Suspensory of ovary • Cardinal
Uterus	cervix/neck (External orifice - Canal of the cervix, Internal orifice) • corpus/body (Cavity of the body, Fundus) • layers (Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium)
Vulva/mons pubis	Labium: commissures (Anterior • Posterior) • Frenulum labiorum pudendi • Labia majora • Cleft of venus • Labia minora • Vulval vestibule • interlabial sulci Clitoris: Vestibular bulbs • Clitoral crura • Corpus cavernosa • Clitoral glans (Frenulum, Hood) Vagina: vestibular glands/ducts (Bartholin's glands/Bartholin's ducts, Skene's glands/Skene's ducts) • Fossa of vestibule of vagina • Vaginal fornix • Hymen • Orifice
Vestiges	Wolffian (Gartner's duct, Epoophoron, Paroöphoron) • Canal of Nuck
Other	G-spot • Urethral sponge