DEVELOPMENT & ANATOMY REPRODUCTIVE Flashcards
What is the reproductive system comprised of?
Gonads
Genital ducts
External genitalia
What are the common embryonic precursors?
Undifferentiated gonads
2 pairs of embryonic ducts
When is the genetic/chromosomal sex determined?
Fertilization
What does the gonad originate from?
Genital ridge (thickening of intermediate mesoderm)
When do primordial germ cells:
1) migrate towards the gonad?
2) enter gonad?
1) 4-5th weeks
2) 6th week
Where do primordial germ cells incorporate into?
Primitive sex cords
What happens if primordial germ cells fail to reach the genital ridge?
Gonads do not develop
What triggers the testis differentiation?
SRY gene
What “inhibits” testis differentiation and triggers ovarian development?
DAX-1 gene
What gene does SRY expression trigger?
SOX9
How do primordial follicles arise?
Follicular cells form clusters with primordial germ cells
What are the epithelial cells of the undifferentiated gonads (male and female)?
Male: sertoli
Female: follicular/granulosa
What are the stromal cells of the undifferentiated gonads (male and female)?
Male: leydig
Female: thecal
What are the 2 exclusive conditions for embryo development into a male?
Y chromosome presence
SRY region presence
What occurs to the primitive sex cords in the primitive testis (for differentiation of testes)?
Proliferation
Detach from epithelium
What occurs to the testis cords in the primitive testis (for differentiation of testes)?
Testis cords fuse to form rete testis (network of tubules)
What occurs to the primitive cords in the primitive ovary (for differentiation of ovaries)?
Penetrate towards medulla
Degenerate
What fibrous capsule forms to surround the primitive sex cords in the primitive testis?
Tunica albuginea
What occurs to the surface epithelium in the primitive ovary (for differentiation of ovaries)?
Continues proliferating & remains in cortex
What is another name for mesonephric duct?
Wolffian duct
What is another name for paramesonephric duct?
Mullerian duct
What structures does testosterone act on?
Mesonephros
Mesonephric duct
What do the mesonephric and the paramesonephric duct open towards?
Urogenital sinus
What is the effect of fetal testicular testosterone on mesonephric tubules?
Persistence of mesonephric tubules as efferent ductules of rete testis
What is the effect of fetal testicular testosterone on mesonephric duct?
Persistence of mesonephric duct
What does the mesonephric duct differentiate into?
Epididymis
Vas deferens
Seminal vesicle
Ejaculatory duct
What releases mullerian inhibitory factor (MIF)?
Sertoli cells
What is the effect of the antimullerian hormone (AMH)?
Induce atrophy of paramesonephric duct
What is the utriculus prostaticus?
Remnant of paramesonephric duct in males (tiny uterus)
How is the uterus formed?
Via the caudal fusion of 2 paramesonephric ducts
How are the uterine tubes (fallopian) formed?
Via the cranial differentiation of the 2 paramesonephric ducts
What is the vaginal plate formed of?
Urogenital sinus
What induces the differentiation of the vaginal plate?
Paramesonephric ducts
What drives the “masculinisation” of external genitalia?
Dihydrotestosterone
What does the absence of dihydrotestosterone trigger?
Genital tubercule does not enlarge
Urethral folds do not fuse
What are hypospadias?
Congenital defect in external genitalia
Urethral opening below penis tip
What are epispadias?
Congenital defect in external genitalia
Urethral opening above penis tip
What are the phases of testicular descent?
Transabadominal phase (INSL-3 control) Transinguinal phase (testosterone control)
What is the function of the gubernaculum testis?
Fetal ligament that guides descent of testes into scrotum
What is cryptorchidism?
Undescended (hidden) testes
What is ectopic testes?
Abnormal location of testis
What is Turner’s syndrome?
45 chromosomes (X0) No gonad Streak ovaries --> infertility
What is Swyer syndrome?
46 chromosomes
No gonads –> infertility
Genetically male but phenotypically female
What is the most common cause of Swyer syndrome?
Mutation in SRY gene
Where is the pelvic cavity contained?
Lesser pelvis
What forms the linea terminalis?
Pubic crest
Pecten pubis
Arcuate line
What is the orientation of the pelvic cavity?
Posteroinferior orientation
What is the bony frame of the pelvic cavity outlined by?
Pelvic inlet
Pelvic outlet
What are the ligaments closing the pelvic cavity?
Sacrospinous
Sacrotuberous
Obturator membrane
What are the muscles closing the pelvic cavity?
Piriformis
Obturator internus
What is the superior boundary of the pelvic cavity?
Parietal peritoneum