Embryology Flashcards
When is the organogenetic period?
Weeks 4-8
When does maturation of organ systems occur?
Week 9 onwards
When does organogenesis of the reproductive system occur?
Extends beyond week 8 and even beyond the post-natal period
What system is the reproductive system linked closely to?
Urinary system (it forms a template for the reproductive system)
How many sets of kidneys develop?
3 sets
What is the first set of kidneys to develop?
Pronephros is the cervical region. They are vestigal
What is the second set of kidneys to develop?
Mesonephros in the thoracolumbar region. They are briefly functional
What is the last set of kidneys to develop?
Metanephros in the pelvic region. They are functional
What does the cloaca divide to form?
Rectum posteriorly and the urogenital sinus anteriorly
What does the mesonephric duct drain into?
The urogenital sinus
What does the urogenital sinus form?
The urinary bladder and the caudal end forms the urethra
What happens to the mesopnephros at about 6 weeks?
It forms a long ovoid structure in association with the thoracic and upper lumbar vertebra
What happens to the medial part of the mesonephric ridge?
It becomes thickened to form a genital/gonadal ridge
How are the indifferent gonads formed?
During week 6 germ cells migrate from the yolk sac, via the dorsal mesentery and embed into the primitive sex cords formed from the mesenchyme of the genital ridge
When are no gonads formed?
When there is failure of migration of germ cells to the genital ridge
How is the para-mesonephric duct formed?
Epithelium of the mesonephros invaginates to form a tube
Where does the paramesonephric duct develop?
Lateral to the developing gonads and mesonephric duct
What is the structure of the paramesonephric duct?
- Funnel shaped cranial end opens into peritoneal cavity
- Caudally, cross ventral to mesonephric ducts
- This projects into dorsal wall of urogenital sinus
What is the male reproductive system formed from?
- Gonad forms testis
- Mesonephric duct develops into epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle
- Urogenital sinus forms bladder, urethra and prostate
What is the female reproductive system formed from?
- Gonad forms the ovary
- Paramesonephric duct forms fallopian tube, uterus, cervix part of vagina
- Urogenital sinus forms bladder and lower part of vagina
What happens to the paramesonephric duct in the male?
Degenerates
What happens to the mesonephric duct in the female?
Degenerates
How does the indifferent gonad know whether to develop into a testes or an ovary?
- SRY gene is expressed in certain cells (such as the primordial supporting cells within the sex cord) and it encodes for a protein called TDF
- TDF makes the indifferent gonad develop into a testis
How does TDF produce male genitalia?
- TDF transforms the primordial supporting cells into sertoli cells
- Sertoli cells secret MIS (MUllerian inhibiting substance) which transforms mesenchymal cells between cords to form Leydig cells
- Leydig cells produce testosterone leading to production of male external genitalia
- MIS also leads to paramesonephric duct degeneration