Genital System Flashcards
Define SRY and TDF
SRY - Sex determining Region of Y chromosome. Necessary for male development. TDF - Testis Determining Factor, proper functioning of this protein and its reception is necessary for male development
Ejaculatory duct
The portion of the vas deferens entering the prostate gland
How long does the indifferent period last?
Until about the 7th week (then male and female development diverge)
The three sources of cells in the genital ridge
Mesothelium, mesenchyme, primordial germ cells
Primordial germ cells develop outside the gastral embryo for a period. Why is this and when do they return?
To protect their ability to make germ cells. They return to the embryo in the 4th-5th week.
The genital ridge forms alongside what embryonic structure?
The mesonephros
What do the proliferating epithelium cells of the gonadal ridge form, and what do these become?
Primitive sex cords, which become seminiferous tubules
How does development of the primitive sex cords proceed differently in males and females?
PGCs migrate to the medullary (deep) area of the cords in males, and to the cortex area of the cords in females
What does the paramesonephric duct become?
Uterus, fallopian tubes, and part of vagina
For the mesonephric and paramesonephric ducts respectively, is it associated with male or female development?
Mesonephric - male development, Paramesonephric - female development
What do the cortex and medulla of the gonadal ridge respectively become?
Cortex - Ovaries, Medulla - Testes
In males, what is secreted from where to make the paramesonephric duct regress?
Sertoli cells secrete antimullerian factor to make the paramesonephric duct (would be uterus, fallopian tubes, part of vagina) regress
Is the tunica albuginia found in male or female development and what does it do?
Both male and female. It is a sheath of white connective tissue which supports and protects the gonadal ridge
What eventually provides a home for cell clusters of PGCs in the developing female embryo?
Secondary sex cords (which arise from the cortex after primary cords degenerate), which form primordial follicles
What transports sperm to the vas deferens?
The epididymis
