Tubular embryonal remnants in the human spermatic cord

The spermatic cords (SCs) obtained from: (a) autopsies of 67 adults and 50 children; (b) 3 fetuses; (c) 12 surgical specimens from 9 adults and 3 children with testicular tumors, and (d) 26 surgical specimens (14 adults and 12 children) with diagnosis of SC cysts, were studied by light microscopy. The histological study revealed the occurrence of tubular embryonal remnants (TERs) in 19 autopsied adults, 14 autopsied children, 3 fetuses, 2 surgical specimens (1 adult and 1 child) owing to testicular tumors, and 6 surgical specimens with diagnosis of SC cysts. The TERs were found in the low, middle or high thirds of the SC and consisted of a cuboidal or columnar, often ciliated epithelium surrounded by connective tissue. In the 3 fetuses and in 3 autopsied children renal glomeruli were found in close relation with the TERs. In 2 cases of SCs showing cysts and TERs both structures contained spermatozoa. The histological pattern of the TERs suggest that they are wolffian derivatives which might give rise to SC cysts.