Question of the Day

The uterus and the majority of the vagina are formed from the paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts (mesoderm). These grow and fuse with the Wolffian ducts and urogenital sinus to complete the female reproductive tract.

There is ongoing research into how much each of these tissues contributes to vaginal development. 

Remembering embryology can understand congenital conditions. For example, segmental aplasia of the paramesonephric ducts causes abnormalities of the uterine tube, uterus, cervix, and anterior vagina. Persistent hymen is the most commonly reported manifestation segmental aplasia of the paramesonephric ducts (called white heifer disease in cattle).