The round ligament of the uterus traverses the inguinal canal in the female. It is a remnant of which embryological structure?
- A Müllerian (paramesonephric) duct
- B Gubernaculum (homologous to the gubernaculum testis in the male) ✓
- C Processus vaginalis peritonei
- D Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct
Correct answer: B. Gubernaculum (homologous to the gubernaculum testis in the male)
Explanation
The round ligament of the uterus is the homologue of the gubernaculum testis. In the male, the gubernaculum guides testicular descent into the scrotum; in the female (where testosterone is absent), it partly degenerates and partly forms the round ligament of the uterus (from uterus to labia majora through the inguinal canal) and the round ligament of the ovary (from ovary to uterus). The Müllerian duct forms the fallopian tubes, uterus, and upper vagina. The processus vaginalis forms the canal of Nuck in females (vestigial). The Wolffian duct regresses in females.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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