The vaginal process (or processus vaginalis) is an
embryonic developmental outpouching of the
parietal peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothel ...
. It is present from around the 12th week of gestation, and commences as a peritoneal outpouching.
Sex differences
In males, it precedes the
testes
A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testoste ...
in their descent down within the
gubernaculum, and closes. This closure (also called ''fusion'') occurs at any point from a few weeks before birth, to a few weeks after birth. The remaining portion around the testes becomes the
tunica vaginalis
The tunica vaginalis is the pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes. It is derived from the vaginal process of the peritoneum, which in the fetus precedes the descent of the testes from the abdomen into the scrotum.
After its descent, ...
.
If it does not close in females, it forms the
canal of Nuck __NOTOC__
The canal of Nuck, first described by Anton Nuck ( de) in 1691, is an abnormal patent (open) pouch of peritoneum extending into the labia majora of women. It is analogous to a patent processus vaginalis in males (see hydrocele testis, in ...
.
Clinical significance
Failure of closure of the vaginal process leads to the propensity to develop a number of abnormalities. Peritoneal fluid can travel down a patent vaginal process leading to the formation of a
hydrocele. Persistent patent processus vaginalis is more common on the right than the left. Accumulation of blood in a persistent processus vaginalis could result in a
hematocele
A hematocele is a collections of blood in a body cavity or potential space. The term most commonly refers to the collection of blood in the tunica vaginalis around the testes, known as a ''scrotal hematocele''. Hematoceles can also occur in the ab ...
.
There is the potential for an indirect
inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a hernia (protrusion) of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. Symptoms, which may include pain or discomfort especially with or following coughing, exercise, or bowel movements, are absent in about a third ...
to develop, although not all people with a patent vaginal process will develop one. The more patent the vaginal process, the more likely the patient is to develop a hernia. Congenital malformation of the vaginal process is also the leading cause of
testicular torsion
Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord (from which the testicle is suspended) twists, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. The most common symptom in children is sudden, severe testicular pain. The testicle may be higher than ...
, since lack of attachment to the inner lining of the scrotum leaves the testicles free to twist.
See also
*
Canal of Nuck __NOTOC__
The canal of Nuck, first described by Anton Nuck ( de) in 1691, is an abnormal patent (open) pouch of peritoneum extending into the labia majora of women. It is analogous to a patent processus vaginalis in males (see hydrocele testis, in ...
*
List of homologues of the human reproductive system
This list of related male and female reproductive organs shows how the male and female reproductive organs and the development of the reproductive system are related, sharing a common developmental path. This makes them biological homologues. T ...
References
External links
*
{{Development of urinary and reproductive systems
Embryology of urogenital system