The first sequence of this animation demonstrates the descent of the testes. A mediosagittal section of a male embryo at the end of the 2nd month is shown partially in 3D. The testis is located in the abdominal cavity at the level of the kidney. To show the relationship between the testis and the peritoneum, the cranial portion of the testis is represented without peritoneal covering.

In this way, one can follow the retroperitoneal sliding of the testis toward the deep ring of the inguinal canal. This sequence also details the gubernaculum, future epididymis, allantois, urinary bladder, peritoneal cavity, superficial ring of the inguinal canal, genital tubercle, mesonephric duct, ureter, etc. The next sequence shows the descent of the testis along the gubernaculum in a 3-month-old fetus. A simultaneous ovluation of the peritoneum and the processus vaginalis precedes the testis and passes through the inguinal rings following the course of the gubernaculum. At the 7th month, the testis enters the inguinal canal, and the processus vaginalis lengthens. During the 9th month, the testis is shown in the middle of the inguinal canal, and the closure of the cranial portion of the processus vaginalis begins to close at the level of the deep ring.

The final sequence shows the descent of the testis at the 9th month and for a newborn boy. The anatomical situation of a normal descent is described.

The next sequences of this animation show the frontal view of the descent of the testes partially in 3D beginning from the end of the 2nd month to the 7th month. The testes and the kidneys are visible within the abdominal cavity. The inguinal canals are depicted along with their deep and superficial rings, the ureters, mesonephric ducts, urinary bladder, gubernacula, projection of the symphysis and other structures. The testes are situated within the inguinal canals and are still covered by the processus vaginalis. The scrotal swellings appear.

The next sequence, animating the descent from the 7th month through birth, shows the separation of the vaginal process from the abdominal cavity, i.e. the formation of the tunica vaginalis and the closures of the inguinal canals. The penetration of the testes, epididymides and ductus deferentes into the scrotum and the shortening of the gubernacula are also animated.

The second part of this animation is dedicated to the descent of the ovaries.

The first diagram shows, partially in 3D, the anterior view of the ovaries for a 9-week-old fetus in the vertical position near the kidneys, ureters, paramesonephric ducts, mesonephros, mesonephric ducts, gubernacula, and inguinal canals along with their deep and superficial rings and labial swellings. The next animation covers the period between a 9-week-old embryo and a 9-month-old fetus. The descent of the ovaries towards the pelvis and their change from a vertical to a horizontal position is illustrated along with the development of the uterus, oviducts, ligamenta of ovary proper, round ligaments of uterus, processus vaginales and the growth of the labial swellings.

From the 9th month through birth, the animation shows the establishment of a definitive anatomic situation with the closure of the inguinal canals and the obliteration of the processus vaginales.

This series of animations also shows some anomalies and malformations of the descent of the testes and ovaries (e.g. cryptorchism, ovarian dystopia, complete and incomplete inguinal hernia, congenital hydrocele and encysted congenital hydrocele).

The next sequence again shows normal descent to serve as a comparison for different forms of cryptorchisms. The ovarian dystopia is animated along with different possibilities of inguinal herniae, congenital hydrocele and encysted hydrocele.

The last sequence shows how to check whether testicular descent has been correctly accomplished.

(This animation is essential for students of medicine as well as departments of anatomy, histology, embryology and cell biology; it is also recommended for departments or clinics of pediatrics and pediatric surgery as well as for students of biology and stomatology.)