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The epididymis and its development in ratite birds (ostrich, emu, rhea)

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Summary

The epididymis of ratitae is subdivided into a main part and an appendix epididymidis. The appendix epididymidis consists of the ductus aberrans and ductuli aberrantes. The ductus aberrans is the cranial continuation of the ductus epididymidis. The appendix epididymidis is cranially attached to the adrenal gland. In the main part of the epididymis the largest part of the rete testis is found.

The rete testis is composed of an intratesticular rete (also named tubuli recti), an intracapsular rete (with a longitudinal cistern and a true rete), and an extratesticular rete (predominantly consisting of approximately 20 longitudinal channels). The rete testis develops most likely embryonally from buds of the glomerular capsules of the mesonephros. The ductuli efferentes proximales also arise from these capsules, while the ductuli efferentes distales develop from the proximal and distal tubules and intermediate-segments of the mesonephros. The ductus epididymidis originates from the Wolffian duct and meanders dorsolaterally through the epididymis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstr. 20, D-1000, Berlin 33

    K. -D. Budras & U. Meier

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  1. K. -D. Budras
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  2. U. Meier
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Dedicated to Professor Dr. Seiferle (Professor emeritus at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy of the University of Zurich) on the occasion of his 80th birthday

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Budras, K.D., Meier, U. The epididymis and its development in ratite birds (ostrich, emu, rhea). Anat Embryol 162, 281–299 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299973

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