In the male, which structure descends with the testis during fetal development and forms the gubernaculum testis, guiding the testis into the scrotum?

• A Gubernaculum testis, a fibromuscular cord from lower pole of testis to floor of scrotum ✓
• B Processus vaginalis, a peritoneal evagination
• C Cremasteric muscle fasciculi from internal oblique
• D Dartos muscle in the scrotal wall

Explanation

The gubernaculum testis is a gelatinous fibromuscular cord that forms from the caudal genital ligament and extends from the lower pole of the testis through the inguinal canal to the floor of the developing scrotum. Under the influence of INSL3 (insulin-like factor 3) from Leydig cells and androgens, the gubernaculum shortens and guides the testis in its transabdominal and inguinoscrotal descent phases. Failure of gubernacular regression or abnormal attachment results in cryptorchidism. The processus vaginalis is a peritoneal evagination that precedes and accompanies testicular descent but is not the gubernaculum.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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