Processus vaginalis
Encyclopedia
The processus vaginalis (or vaginal process) is an embryo
nic developmental outpouching of the peritoneum
.
It is present from around the 12th week of gestation, and commences as a peritoneal outpouching.
, 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
.
If it does not close in females, it forms the canal of Nuck
.
Peritoneal fluid can travel down a patent processus vaginalis leading to the formation of a hydrocele
. Accumulation of blood in a persistent processus vaginalis could result in a hematocele
.
There is the potential for an indirect inguinal hernia
to develop, although not all people with a patent processus vaginalis will develop one. The more patent the processus vaginalis, the more likely the patient is to develop a hernia.
Persistent patent processus vaginalis is more common on the right than the left.
Embryo
An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its earliest stage of development, from the time of first cell division until birth, hatching, or germination...
nic developmental outpouching of the peritoneum
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
.
It is present from around the 12th week of gestation, and commences as a peritoneal outpouching.
Gender differences
In males, it precedes the testis in their descent down within the gubernaculumGubernaculum
The paired Gubernacula are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiated mesenchyme attaching to the caudal end of the gonads .-Function during development:...
, 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
Tunica vaginalis
The tunica vaginalis is the serous covering of the testis.It is a pouch of serous membrane, derived from the processus vaginalis of the peritoneum, which in the fetus preceded the descent of the testis from the abdomen into the scrotum....
.
If it does not close in females, it forms the canal of Nuck
Canal of Nuck
The canal of Nuck, described by Anton Nuck in 1691, is an abnormal patent pouch of peritoneum extending into the labia majora of women. It is analogous to the processus vaginalis in males ....
.
Clinical significance
Failure of closure of the processus vaginalis leads to the propensity to develop a number of abnormalities.Peritoneal fluid can travel down a patent processus vaginalis leading to the formation of a hydrocele
Hydrocele
A hydrocoele denotes a pathological accumulation of serous fluid in a body cavity. It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to high levels of lead in the mother's blood during pregnancy....
. Accumulation of blood in a persistent processus vaginalis could result in a hematocele
Hematocele
A hematocele is a collection of blood in a body cavity. The term is generally used to refer to the collection of blood in the tunica vaginalis around the testicle. Hematoceles are often more painful than a hydrocele....
.
There is the potential for an indirect inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. They are very common , and their repair is one of the most frequently performed surgical operations....
to develop, although not all people with a patent processus vaginalis will develop one. The more patent the processus vaginalis, the more likely the patient is to develop a hernia.
Persistent patent processus vaginalis is more common on the right than the left.