The term paradidymis (: paradidymides; organ of Giraldés) is applied to a small collection of convoluted tubules, situated in front of the lower part of the

spermatic cord The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an exten ...

, above the head of the

epididymis The epididymis (; : epididymides or ) is an elongated tubular genital organ attached to the posterior side of each one of the two male reproductive glands, the testicles. It is a single, narrow, tightly coiled tube in adult humans, in length; ...

. These tubes are lined with columnar ciliated epithelium, and probably represent the remains of a part of the Wolffian body, like the

, but are functionless and vestigial. The Wolffian body operates as a kidney (

mesonephros The mesonephros () is one of three excretory system, excretory organs that develop in vertebrates. It serves as the main excretory organ of aquatic vertebrates and as a temporary kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals. The mesonephros is included ...

) in fishes and amphibians, but the corresponding tissue is co-opted to form parts of the male reproductive system in other classes of vertebrate. The paradidymis represents a remnant of an unused, atrophied part of the Wolffian body. The paradidymis is homologous to the female paroophoron, as they both arise from mesonephric tubules.

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