Embryology Flashcards
What does genetic mixing require?
Adaptation of the sexes - anatomical, physiological, behavioural. 2 haploid gametes.
System to make gametes, allow them to meet, allow individual to develop, and control the whole process.
What does the male internal genitalia consist of?
Testis, duct system (epididymis, vas deferens, urethra), seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbs-urethral glands
What does the male external genitalia consist of?
Penis, scrotum
What does the female internal genitalia consist of?
Ovaries, duct system (fallopian tube, uterus, cervix vagina)
What does the female external genitalia consist of?
Vagina, vestibule, labia minora, labia majora, clitoris
Where does reproductive tract functional development occur?
After birth
When does reproductive tract maturation development occur?
Puberty
Where does structural tract functional development occur?
In utero
What are the stages of maturation?
Childhood followed by adolescence
What are the male secondary sexual characteristics?
Increased (relative) body size Body composition and fat distribution Hair and skin Facial hair Male pattern baldness CNS effects Smell
What are the female secondary sexual characteristics?
Decreased (relative) body size Subcutaneous fat distribution Hair and skin Breast development CNS effects
What is the urogenital ridge?
Region of intermediate mesoderm giving rise to both the embryonic kidney and the gonad.
From what type of embryonic tissue is the reproductive tract primarily derived from?
Mesoderm
What is the gonad derived from embryologically?
Intermediate mesoderm plus primordial germ cells (extragonadal)
What are primordial germ cells?
Special population, ‘seed’ for the next generation (very important!). Allocated shortly after initiation current generation. Arise from yolk sac and migrate into retroperitoneal, along the dorsal mesentery.
Where do primordial germ cells arise from embryologically?
Arise from yolk sac and migrate into retroperitoneal, along the dorsal mesentery.
How do primordial germ cells, which arise in the yolk sac, get into the future reproductive organs?
Migrate into retroperitoneal, along the dorsal mesentery.
Expression of what genes drives the development of the male?
SRY
What drives development of female characteristics?
Absence of Y chromosome, absence of SRY gene expression.
What do mesonephric tubules do?
Perform a primitive renal function. Along with mesonephric duct form the primitive kidney.
What is the mesonephric duct also known as?
Wolffian duct
What is the cloaca?
Early in development, GI, urinary, and reproductive tracts end in single structure, called the cloaca.
What is the urogenital sinus formed from?
Created from hindgut by urorectal septum
What is the paramesonephric duct also known as?
Müllerian duct
How does the Müllerian duct appear?
As invagination of the epithelium of the urogenital ridge. Caudally makes contact with the cloaca (urogenital sinus). Cranially opens into the abdominal cavity.
Describe what happens to the ducts in the early XY embryo
Testis develop - androgen secretion supports the mesonephric duct. Testis secrete Müllerian inhibiting substance, therefore paramesonephric duct degenerates
Describe what happens to the ducts in the early XX embryo
Ovary develops - no androgen, therefore mesonephric duct degenerates. (No testis derived Müllerian inhibiting substance)
What happens to the mesonephric duct in the absence of testis derived testosterone?
Degenerates
Under what circumstances does the paramesonephric duct degenerate?
In the prince of testis derived MIH
What is present in the indifferent stage of development of the external genitalia?
Basic components (genital tubercle), genital folds, genital swellings
What happens to the genital tubercle in the male?
Elongates
What happens to the genial folds in the male?
Fuse to form the spongy urethra
What causes the changes that form the male external genitalia?
Influence of testis derived androgen h
What happens to the genital folds in the female?
No fusion occurs. Urethra opens into vestibule
Describe the descent of the ovary
Gubernaculum attaches ovary inferiorly to labioscrotal folds. Ovary descends to the pelvis. Round ligament of the uterus in inguinal canal.
List some possible structural defects of the reproductive tract
Cloacal partitioning defects, hypospadias, uterine structural defects (e.g. Bicornuate uterus)
What occurs during the fetal period?
Growth and physiological maturation of the structures created during the (much shorter) embryonic period. Preparation for transition to independent life after birth
What characterises the embryonic period?
Intense activity (organogeneic period), but absolute growth is very small (except placenta). Growth and weight gain accelerated in fetal period.
Outline what occurs in the embryonic stage
Intense morphogenesis and differentiation, little weight gain, placental growth most significant
Outline what occurs in the early fetus
Protein deposition
Outline what occurs in the late fetus
Adipose deposition
How might one assess fetal wellbeing?
Mother - fetal movements
Regular measurements of uterine expansion (symphysis-fundal height)
Ultrasound scan
When is an obstetric USS generally carried out?
Approx 20 weeks
Why is obstetric USS carried out at approx 20 weeks
Fetus sufficiently large enough to be able to spot abnormalities, but not too late to intervene if needed
What is assessed during an obstetric USS?
Calculate age of fetus, rule out ectopic pregnancy, number of fetuses…
How is fetus age estimated?
From date of last menstrual period (prone to inaccuracy)
Developmental criteria (allows accurate estimation of fetal age)
Crown-rump length, measured between 7 and 13 weeks to date pregnancy and estimate EDD
What is the scan in T1 used to determine?
Location, check number, viability (fetal bradycardia bad)
When might the biparietal diameter be used?
Used in combination with other measurements to date pregnancies in T2 and T3
What might abdominal circumference and femur length of an embryo be used for?
In combination with BPD for dating ad growth monitoring. Also useful for anomaly detection.
What is considered to be the average birth weight?
3500g
Below what weight is a baby considered to have had growth restriction?
2500g
Above what weight is the macrosomia?
4500g
List some Reasons babies might have a low birth weight
Premature (importance of accurate dating!) Constitutionally small (small mother) Growth restriction (associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality)
What develops during the embryonic period, with regards to the lungs?
Only the bronchopulmonary tree
When does functional specialisation of the lungs occur?
In the fetal period
What occurs with regards to lung development during weeks 8-16?
Pseudoglandular stage. Duct system begins to form within the bronchopulmonary segments created during the embryonic period (bronchioles)
What occurs with regards to lung development during weeks 16-26?
Canicular stage - formation of respiratory bronchioles. Budding from bronchioles formed during the pseudoglandular stage
What occurs with regards to lung development during weeks 26-term?
Terminal sac stage. Terminal sacs begin to bud from the respiratory bronchioles. Differentiation of type 1 and type 2 pneumocytes. Surfactant.
What occurs during the fetal period to prepare the lungs for life?
‘Breathing’ movements (conditioning of respiratory muscles). Fluid filled (crucial for normal lung development)
What implications does lung development have for preterm survival?
Threshold of viability. There is a limit beyond which the lungs will not be sufficiently developed to sustain life. Viability is only a possibility once the lungs have entered the terminal sac stage of development. (I.e. Over 24 weeks)
What is infant respiratory distress syndrome?
Often in those born prematurely. Insufficient surfactant production
What can be done if it is known a baby is going to be born prematurely?
Glucocorticoid treatment to mother, increasing surfactant production in fetus
Approx when is th definitive fetal HR achieved?
Around 15weeks
When does fetal kidney function begin?
Week 10
What is oligohydramnios?
Too little amniotic fluid. Placental insufficiency, fetal renal impairment
What is polyhydramnios?
Too much amniotic fluid. Fetal abnormality e.g. Inability to swallow
When does the fetus begin to show coordinated voluntary movements?
4th month
When does the fetus start to move?
8th week