Gubernaculum

Gubernaculum
Sagittal section through the pelvis of a newly born female child. (Label for round ligament of uterus visible at upper right.)
Details
Days	60
Precursor	Intermediate mesoderm
Gives rise to	Gubernaculum testis (males), suspensory ligament of ovary, round ligament of uterus, ovarian ligament (females)
Latin	Gubernaculum
Dorlands /Elsevier	g_13/12403750
Anatomical terminology []

The paired gubernacula (from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω = pilot, steer, also called the caudal genital ligament) are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiated mesenchyme attaching to the caudal end of the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females).

As the scrotum and labia majora form in males and females respectively, the gubernaculum aids in the descent of the gonads (both testes and ovaries).

The testes descend to a greater degree than the ovaries and ultimately pass through the inguinal canal.

The gubernaculum is present only during the development of the urinary and reproductive organs, being replaced by distinct vestiges in males and females.

In males:

In females: