Embryology: Gartner duct cyst: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Embryology: Gartner duct cyst

Sample item

A woman has a small cystic swelling in the anterolateral wall of the vagina. Which embryological remnant does it arise from?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct

A Gartner duct cyst arises from a remnant of the mesonephric duct that persists in the female along the lateral wall of the vagina. The paramesonephric ducts form the tubes, uterus and upper vagina. A Bartholin cyst by contrast lies at the posterolateral introitus.

Option by option

  • A. Urogenital sinus

    The urogenital sinus forms the lower vagina and vestibule, with Bartholin glands.

  • B. Urachus

    The urachus is a remnant between the bladder apex and the umbilicus.

  • C. Paramesonephric (Mullerian) duct

    The paramesonephric ducts form the genital tract and do not leave a lateral wall remnant like this.

  • D. Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct (correct)

    Correct. Gartner's duct is the mesonephric remnant in the female.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Mesonephric (Wolffian) duct. A Gartner duct cyst arises from a remnant of the mesonephric duct that persists in the female along the lateral wall of the vagina.

Why is "Urogenital sinus" not the answer?

The urogenital sinus forms the lower vagina and vestibule, with Bartholin glands.

Why is "Urachus" not the answer?

The urachus is a remnant between the bladder apex and the umbilicus.

Why is "Paramesonephric (Mullerian) duct" not the answer?

The paramesonephric ducts form the genital tract and do not leave a lateral wall remnant like this.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Embryology: Gartner duct cyst in Anatomy. The paramesonephric ducts form the tubes, uterus and upper vagina. A Bartholin cyst by contrast lies at the posterolateral introitus.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Embryology: Gartner duct cyst?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.