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Chapter 11 - Müllerian Duct Development, Diagnosis and Management of Anomalies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2025

By
Maribel Acién  and
Pedro Acién
Edited by
Roy G. Farquharson ,
Mary D. Stephenson  and
Mariëtte Goddijn
Roy G. Farquharson
Affiliation:
Liverpool Women’s Hospital
Mary D. Stephenson
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Chicago
Mariëtte Goddijn
Affiliation:
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
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Summary

Female genital tract malformations are frequently a cause of reproductive problems and sometimes of serious gynaecological problems. Knowing the embryological origin of the female genitourinary malformations, will allow the gynaecologist to understand the malformation, suspect other associated anomalies and choose the best therapeutical approach for the reproductive result of the patient.

Current embryological knowledge shows that the mesonephric or Wolffian ducts and the female gubernaculum play a role as inductors for the adequate development and formation of the Müllerian ducts. Also, the mesonephric ducts together with the müllerian tubercle form the vagina. The ureteral bud sprouting from the opening of the mesonephric ducts into the urogenital sinus determine the adequate formation of the urinary system and the kidneys. Any lesion of these elements will produce the different female genital tract malformations with reproductive consequences depending on the injury location.

Keywords

müllerian ductsembryologymalformationsmüllerian anomaliesmesonephric anomaliesfemale gubernaculum
Type
Chapter
Information
Early Pregnancy , pp. 96 - 109
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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