How Do You Spell WOLFFIAN?

Pronunciation: [wˈʊlffi͡ən] (IPA)

The word "Wolffian" is spelled with a double "f" because it is named after the German anatomist Caspar Friedrich Wolff. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ˈwɒl.fɪən/, with stress on the first syllable. The "w" is pronounced as a voiced bilabial glide, while the "o" is pronounced as an open-mid back rounded vowel. The two "f"s are pronounced as voiceless bilabial fricatives, and the "i" is pronounced as a lax near-close front unrounded vowel. Finally, the "an" is pronounced as a schwa followed by a voiced alveolar nasal.

WOLFFIAN Meaning and Definition

1. Wolffian refers to an anatomical structure or feature that is correlated with the Wolffian duct system in embryological development. The term is derived from the name of Caspar Friedrich Wolff, an 18th-century German physiologist who extensively studied embryology.

   In embryology, the Wolffian ducts are a pair of bilateral structures that form in the early development of vertebrate embryos. They are responsible for the development of male reproductive organs such as the epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles. In females, these structures regress during development under the influence of anti-Müllerian hormone.

   The term Wolffian is specifically used to describe characteristics or structures that are derived from or associated with the Wolffian ducts. For instance, in human biology, the Wolffian body or Wolffian mesonephros refers to the transient excretory organ that develops near the Wolffian ducts during early embryonic stages.

   In various fields, such as zoology and comparative anatomy, the term Wolffian is often used to distinguish features associated with the Wolffian ducts from those associated with the Müllerian ducts, another embryological structure involved in the development of female reproductive organs. This term helps provide a clear nomenclature in the study of embryology, biology, and related disciplines.

2. Relating to or described by one of the name Wolff, specifically Kaspar Friedrich Wolff, St. Petersburg embryologist born in Germany, 1733-1794.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for WOLFFIAN

• wilffian

Etymology of WOLFFIAN

The word "Wolffian" is derived from the name of the German anatomist and physiologist Caspar Friedrich Wolff (1734-1794). Wolff made significant contributions to embryology and is known for his research on the development of animals. Several anatomical and physiological terms were named after him to honor his work, including "Wolffian duct" and "Wolffian body". These terms refer to structures that Wolff described and studied during his investigations. Over time, the adjective "Wolffian" came to be used more broadly to describe anything related to Wolff's work or ideas.