Embryology Flashcards
What layer do the urinary and internal reproductive organs develop from?
Primarily from intermediate mesoderm
Male and female genital systems are initially similar (indifferent stage). The Y chromosome contains the SRY gene (sex-determining region on Y). What is the protein product of this gene? What does it do?
The protein product of this gene (Testis-Determining Factor; TDF) masculinizes the indifferent genital system
The genital ducts begin in the indifferent stage. These form from intermediate mesoderm. What do these form in men and women?
Mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts (mostly contribute to male ducts)
Paramesonephric (Mullerian) ducts (mostly contribute to female ducts)
What induces mesonephric ducts to differentiate into male genital ducts and glands?
Testosterone
What inhibits paramesonephric ducts from developing into female genital ducts?
Antimüllerian hormone (AMH)
What cells produce AMH?
Sertoli cells
What are the 4 embryonic structures for the male?
MEsonephric Duct
Mesonephric tubiles
Urethra
Paramesonephric duct
What happens to the mesonephric tubules during development?
Become the efferent ductules and appendix of epidydimus
What happens to the mesonephric ducts during development?
Form epidydimus, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle.
What happens to the urethra during development?
gives rise to the prostate and bulbourethral glands
What happens to the paramesonephric duct during development? (In males)
Regresses, except for the appendix of the testes and the prostatic utricle
What are the external structures in the indifferent stage?
Cloacal Folds
Genital (labioscrotal) swellings
What is the cause of hypospadia? What is the result? What mediates the process?
Caused by incomplete fusion of the urethral groove on ventral surface of penis.
Abnormal opening of penile urethra on ventral surface of penis.
Testosterone dependent process.
What is epispadias? What does this often occur with? What do we think causes this?
Is this testosterone dependent?
- Urethral opening is on dorsum of penis.
- Often occurs with exstrophy of the bladder.
- Thought to be due to urethral plate developing more dorsally than normal.
- Testosterone independent.
What is a hydrocele? What are the two types?
- Fluid filled sac around scrotum or spermatic cord caused by excessive serous fluid production.
- Noncommunicating and communicating types.
What is cryptorchidism?
What does this process depend upon?
Consequence?
- Failure of testes to descend into scrotum.
- Testosterone dependent.
- Undescended testes will be infertile due to temperature dysregulation.
What is cryporchidism a high risk factor for?
Testicular cancer
What causes the female body plan to form?
Absence of SRY gene
What is required for normal ovary formation?
Two functional X chromasomes.
What happens to the paramesonephric ducts in female development?
- Cranial ends open into abdominal cavity
- Caudal ends fuse and enter cloaca.
What happens to the mesonephric duct in females?
Regresses