A 19-year-old woman is found during ultrasound to have a small cyst in the lateral wall of the vagina. It is diagnosed as a Gartner duct cyst. This cyst represents persistence of which embryological structure?
- A Paramesonephric (Mullerian) duct
- B Urachus
- C Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct ✓
- D Vitellointestinal duct
Correct answer: C. Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct
Explanation
The Gartner duct cyst results from incomplete regression of the caudal portion of the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct, which normally disappears in females except for remnants such as the epoophoron, paroophoron and duct of Gartner along the lateral vaginal wall. In males the same duct persists to form the epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle, which contrasts with the Mullerian-derived uterus and upper vagina.
Reference: Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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