The development of the trigone of the bladder with a report of a case of ectopic ureter.

Abstract

SUMMARYThe history of a patient suffering from incontinence of urine due to an ectopic ureter is presented. The embryology of this condition has been studied and the trigone of the bladder, together with the posterior part of the urethra, shown to be derived from the Wolffian ducts by gradual dilatation of the lower end of the latter. The subsequent alteration in relationship of the Wolffian ducts to the ureter is discussed, and it is suggested that the alteration of the orifices of the Wolffian ducts to the ureters during development is due to unequal absorption of the Wolffian duct and active growth at its upper and outer lip.The opening of the ectopic ureters may occur at any point on the outer edge of the area of bladder and urethra derived from the Wolffian duct. In the case presented an ectopic ureter was found to open into the urethra below the sphincters in conformity with the development outlined.It is a pleasure to acknowledge my indebtedness to Professor F. H. Bentley and Mr Fenton Braithwaite for their help, to Mr D. P. Hammersley for the diagrams used to illustrate this article, and to Mr A. L. Pegg of the Department of Photography, University of Durham, for the photomicrographs.