The epoophoron or epoöphoron (also called organ of Rosenmüller or the parovarium) is a remnant of the Mesonephric duct that can be found next to the ovary

Ovary

The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in anatomically female individuals are analogous to testes in anatomically male individuals, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands.-Human anatomy:Ovaries...

 and fallopian tube

Fallopian tube

The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction...

.

Anatomy

It may contain 10-15 transverse small ducts or tubules that lead to the Gartner’s duct (also longitudinal duct of epoophoron) that represents the caudal remnant of the Mesonephric duct and passes through the broad ligament and the lateral wall of the cervix and vagina.

The epoophoron is a homologue

Homology (biology)

Homology forms the basis of organization for comparative biology. In 1843, Richard Owen defined homology as "the same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function". Organs as different as a bat's wing, a seal's flipper, a cat's paw and a human hand have a common underlying...

 to the epididymis

Epididymis

The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...

 in the male.

While the epoophoron is located in the lateral portion of the mesosalpinx

Mesosalpinx

The mesosalpinx is part of the lining of the abdominal cavity in higher vertebrates, specifically the portion of the broad ligament that stretches from the ovary to the level of the uterine tube....

 and mesovarium

Mesovarium

The mesovarium is the portion of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovaries.At first the mesonephros and genital ridge are suspended by a common mesentery, but as the embryo grows the genital ridge gradually becomes pinched off from the mesonephros, with which it is at first...

, the paroophoron

Paroöphoron

The paroöphoron consists of a few scattered rudimentary tubules, best seen in the child, situated in the broad ligament between the epoöphoron and the uterus. Named for the Welsh anatomist David Johnson who originally described the structure at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.It is a remnant...

 (residual remnant of that part of the Mesonephric duct that forms the paradidymis

Paradidymis

The term paradidymis is applied to a small collection of convoluted tubules, situated in front of the lower part of the spermatic cord, above the head of the epididymis....

 in the male) lies more medially in the mesosalpinx.

Clinical significance

Clinically the organ may give rise to a local paraovarian cyst

Cyst

A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...

 or adenoma

Adenoma

An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin. Adenomas can grow from many organs including the colon, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid, prostate, etc. Although these growths are benign, over time they may progress to become malignant, at which point they are called adenocarcinomas...

.

See also

• List of homologues of the human reproductive system
• Vesicular appendages of epoophoron
  Vesicular appendages of epoophoron
  In connection with the fimbriae of the uterine tube, or with the broad ligament close to them, there are frequently one or more small pedunculated vesicles. These are termed the vesicular appendages of the epoophoron . -External links:...