The round ligament of the uterus follows which embryological structure to reach the labia majora, and through which canal does it pass?

• A Processus vaginalis; through the femoral canal
• B Gubernaculum; through the inguinal canal ✓
• C Mesonephric duct remnant; through the obturator foramen
• D Müllerian duct derivative; through the pudendal canal

Explanation

The round ligament of the uterus is the female homologue of the gubernaculum testis. It passes through the inguinal canal (analogous to the route taken by the testis in males) to insert into the labia majora (homologue of the scrotum). This explains why the inguinal canal exists in females and why hernias can occur along this path (indirect inguinal hernias in females are not common but do occur). The round ligament carries the ilioinguinal nerve alongside it in the inguinal canal.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.