title: Embryology of the testicular descent.
abstract: Numerous researchers studied the morphology of the testicular descent, including the possible function of the gubernaculum. However, a clear illustration of this process is still missing. The aim of this paper was to illustrate the embryology of the testicular descent in the rat by scanning electron microscopy. In a first phase of the intra-abdominal testicular descent, the testis moves actively from the lower pole of the kidney towards the bladder neck. In a second inguinal phase the testis enters groin and moves in the developing processus vaginalis peritonei caused by the disappearance of the bulb of the gubernaculums testis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. henning.fiegel@kgu.de
authors.forename: Henning C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Fiegel
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rolle
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gfroerer
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kluth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D047109:Fetal Development; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000196:embryology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology*