Repro Flashcards
Unilateral, painful cystic lesion in the lower vestibule adjacent to the vaginal canal.
Bartholin’s cyst
What HPV types cause condyloma?
6 & 11
What HPV types cause cancer?
16, 18. 31, 33
Cells with raisin-like nucleus appearance is descriptive of…
Koilocytic change - HPV infection
HPV infection produces what type of change on histology?
Koilocytic change - raisin-like appearance of nucleus
What is koilocytic change?
Raisin-like appearance of nucleus in HPV
<p>Thin, parchment-like vulvar skin</p>
<p>Lichen sclerosis - will see leukoplakia</p>
Thinning of vulvar epidermis with thickening of dermis and leukoplakia.
Lichen sclerosis
What is lichen sclerosis?
Thin, parchment like vulvar skin with thinning of epidermis and fibrosis of dermis and leukoplakia.
What is the prognosis of lichen sclerosis?
Benign, but associated with a slightly increased risk of SCC
Thickened, leather-like vulvar skin
Lichen simplex chronicus - due to chronic irritation/scratching.
Hyperplasia of vulvar squamous epithelium with leukoplakia.
Lichen simplex chronicus - due to chronic irritation/scratching.
What is lichen simplex chronicus?
Thickening of vulvar skin due to hyperplasia of vulvar squamous epithelium caused by chronic irritation/scratching.
What causes lichen simplex chronicus?
Chronic irritation/scratching.
What is the prognosis of lichen simplex chronicus?
Benign - no increased risk of SCC like with lichen sclerosis.
A patient with vulvar leukoplakia can have which 3 disorders?
Lichen sclerosis (thinning of skin); Lichen simplex chronicus (hyperplasia of skin due to chronic scratching); Vulvar carcinoma (HPV or non-HPV related due to chronic lichen sclerosis)
What are the two pathways to development of vulvar carcinoma?
HPV related (16, 18, 31, 33); Non-HPV related (usually due to long-standing lichen sclerosis).
Malignant epithelial cell in the epidermis of the vulva
Extramammary Paget’s disease
Erythematous pruritic, ulcerated vulvar skin
Extramammary Paget’s disease
How does extramammary Paget’s disease present?
Erythematous pruritic, ulcerated vulvar skin
What does extramammary Paget’s disease represent?
Carcinoma in situ- usually no underlying CA
What is seen on biopsy of extramammary Paget’s disease?
Malignant epithelial cell in the epidermis of the vulva
Biopsy of vulvar cells show PAS + , keratin +, and S100 - cells. Dx?
Extramammary Paget’s disease (keratin + because it is a carcinoma, PAS + = cells are secreting mucus, so it must be a carcinoma).
Biopsy of vulvar cells show PAS - , keratin -, and S100 + cells. Dx?
Melanoma
How do you distinguish extramammary Paget’s disease from melanoma?
Extramammary Paget’s disease: PAS + , keratin +, and S100 - cells; Melanoma : PAS - , keratin -, and S100 + cells
Where is the underlying cancer usually located in extramammary Paget’s disease?
There is NO underlying cancer. There is only underlying cancer in Paget’s disease of the nipple.
Persistence of columnar epithelium in the upper 1/3 of vagina
Adenosis - precursor to clear cell adenocarcinoma
What is vaginal adenosis?
Persistance of columnar epithelium (from Mullerian duct) in the upper 1/3 of vagina. Precursor to clear cell adenoacarcinoma.
What causes vaginal adenosis?
Exposure to DES in utero
What lesion is considered a precursor to clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina?
Adenosis
Malignant vaginal proliferation of glands with clear cytoplasm.
Clear cell adenoarcinoma.
Exposure to DES in utero leads to increased risk for what two disorders?
Adenosis - persistence of columnar epithelium in upper 1/3 of vagina. Clear cell adenocarcinoma - malignant vaginal proliferation of glands with clear cytoplasm.
Malignant mesenchymal proliferation of immature skeletal muscle
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Bleeding with a grape-like mass protruding from vagina in a young girl
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (Sarcoma botyroides).
<p>What is seen on histological examination of sarcoma botryiodes?</p>
<p>Cells with cytoplasmic cross-striations (spindle shaped cells) This is the description of a rhabdomyoblast.</p>
Rhabdomyosarcoma (sarcomam botryoides) stains for what IHC marker?
Desmin (IF for a muscle cell)
Tumor biopsy shows immature cells with cytoplasmic cross-striations. What cell is seen?
Rhabdomyoblast (also desmin positive)
What causes vaginal SCC?
HPV 16, 18, 31, 33
Cancer from the lower 2/3 of the vagina drains to which nodes?
Inguinal nodes
Cancer from the upper 1/3 of the vagina drains to which nodes?
Regional iliac nodes
Anatomically, HPV infects what part of the cervix?
The transformation zone (where columnar and squamous epithelia meet).
How does HPV cause cancer?
Produces: E6, which destroys p53 (G1—->S); E7, which destroys Rb (Free E2F allows G1 —> S)
Cervical dysplasia involving only the lowest 1/3 of cells.
CIN I (reversible)
Cervical dysplasia involving the lowest 2/3 of cells.
CIN II (reversible)
Cervical dysplasia involving most of the epithelium, but not all of it.
CIN III (reversible)
Cervical dysplasia involving the entire epithelium.
CIS (irreversible)
What is the #1 risk factor for cervical cancer?
Multiple sexual partners (others include smoking, immunodeficiency).
Why are HIV patients at a higher risk for cervical cancer?
Immune system can’t remove HPV virus (cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining illness)..
HPV can cause which type(s) of cervical carcinoma?
BOTH squamous (much more common) and adenocarcinoma (pap smear doesn’t screen for adenoCA well)..
Typically, how does cervical cancer spread?
Locally - invades anterior uterine wall into bladder, leading to hydronephrosis and post-renal failure.
What subtypes are included in the HPV vaccine?
6, 11, 16, 18
<p>What is Asherman syndrome?</p>
<p>Secondary amenorrhea due to loss of basalis (regenerative layer) and scarring or due to intrauterine adhesions. Result of overaggressive D & C.</p>
What layer of the endometrium is considered the stem cell layer?
Basalis (lost in Asherman syndrome due to overaggressive D&C).
What causes Asherman syndrome?
Overaggressive D & C
<p>What is the #1 cause of acute endometritis?</p>
<p>Retained products of conception. Retained products in uterus promotes infection by bacterial flora from vagina or intestinal tract</p>
What is the treatment for acute endometritis?
Gentamycin + clindamycin with or without ampicillin.
What must be seen on biopsy in order to diagnose chronic endometritis?
Plasma cells
<p>What is a main cause of endometrial polyps?</p>
<p>Tamoxifen</p>
<p>What is endometriosis?</p>
<p>Non-neoplastic Endometrial glands AND stroma misplaced outside the uterine endometrial lining</p>
What is the most common site of involvement of endometriosis?
Ovary (causing chocolate cyst)
What is a chocolate cyst?
Cystic lesion of the ovary filled with menstrual products as a result of chronic endometriosis.
How can endometriosis cause infertility?
Chronic endometriosis of the Fallopian tube can cause scarring.
<p>What is adenomyosis?</p>
<p>Endometriosis (presence of glands/stroma) in the myometrium
Treat with hysterectomy</p>
Endometriosis in the myometrium is called..
Adenomyosis
How does andenomyosis typically present?
Menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and uterine enlargement.
What is endometrial hyperplasia?
Hyperplasia of the endometrial glands relative to stroma
<p>What causes endometrial hyperplasia?</p>
<p>excess Estrogen</p>
What is the most common cause of postmenopausal uterine bleeding?
Endometrial hyperplasia
What is the most important predictor for progression of endometrial hyperplasia to carcinoma?
Cellular atypia
What are the 2 pathways leading to endometrial carcinoma?
Hyperplasia pathway - unopposed estrogen leads to cancer with endometrioid appearance. Sporadic pathway - no hyperplasia. Cancer arises from atrophic endometrium. Caused by p53 mutations, shows serous histology with papillae and psammoma bodies.
Sporadic (non-hyperplastic) endometrial cancer is driven by…
p53 mutations (papillary serous cancer with psammoma bodies, caused by atrophy)
Endometrioid appearance of endometrial biopsy…
Endometrial cancer caused by estrogen (hyperplasia pathway).
Serous (papillary) appearance of endometrial biopsy with psammoma bodies…
Endometrial cancer caused by atrophy. Caused by p53 mutations.
Name 5 cancers that show psammoma bodies on histology.
Papillary thyroid cancer; Mesothelioma; Papillary (serous) ovarian/endometrial cancer; Meningioma
Multiple, well-defined white whorled uterine masses.
Leiomyoma (no progression to leiomyosarcoma, driven by estrogen, completely benign).
Do leiomyomas become leiomyosarcomas?
NO! Leiomyosarcomas arise de novo.
Describe the gross findings of a leiomyoma vs. a leiomyosarcoma.
Leiomyoma - MULTIPLE, well-defined, white whorled masses. Leiomyosarcoma - SINGLE lesion with necrosis and hemorrhage
What is a follicular cyst?
Distension of unruptured Graffian follicle. Multiple follicular cysts are seen in PCOS.
What type of cysts are seen in PCOS?
Follicular (unruptured Graffian follicles).
LH:FSH >2
PCOS
What happens to LH and FSH levels in PCOS?
LH:FSH >2 (LH increases, FSH decreases)
What is the underlying cause of PCOS?
Increased LH causes increased production of androgens, which is converted into estrone in adipose tissue. Estrone feeds back to decrease production of FSH. Decreased FSH leads to degeneration of the follicle, causing it to become a cyst.
Obese young woman presenting with infertility, oligomenorrhea, and hirsuitism.
PCOS
What estrogen is made by adipose tissue?
Estrone (from T by aromatase)
What happens to estrogen levels in PCOS?
They increase due to increased testosterone production (secondary to increased LH), which is aromatized in adipose to estrone. Estrone feeds back to inhibit FSH release, which causes degeneration of follicles and formation of cysts.
Why are obese women at higher risk for PCOS?
Because adipose aromatizes the excess androgens into estrone, which feeds back to inhibit FSH release, which causes degeneration of follicles and formation of cysts.
Patients with PCOS are at a higher risk for what metabolic disorder?
Type II DM
Patients with PCOS are at a higher risk for what gynecologic cancer?
Endometrial (secondary to increased estrone)
What are the two most common subtypes of ovarian surface epithelial tumors and how are they differentiated?
Serous and mucinous. Both are cystic. Serous tumors are filled with a watery fluid, mucous tumors are filled with a mucinous fluid.
BRCA1 mutation increases risk for what non-breast tumors (2)?
Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary and fallopian tube
Genetic association with serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary
BRCA1
CA-125
Ovarian cancer tumor marker. Good for monitoring progression, but not for screening.
Ovarian cancer tumor marker
CA-125
Ovarian tumor containing urothelium
Brenner tumor
What is a Brenner tumor?
Benign tumor of ovary that looks like bladder. H&E shows “coffee bean” nuclei.
What are the B’s of Brenner tumor?
looks like Bladder, coffee Bean shape nuclei, Benign.
What is pseudomyxoma peritonei?
Intraperitoneal accumulation of mucinous material from a mucinous cystadenocarcinmoa of the ovary or an appendiceal tumor. “Full belly of jelly”
Patient presents with massive intraperitoneal accumulation of mucous material. What 2 things are at the top of your ddx?
This is pseudomyxoma peritonei. Caused by: Mucinous cystadenocarcinmoa of the ovary or an appendiceal tumor.
What is a cystic teratoma?
Cystic ovarian tumor composed of fetal tissue derived from 2 or 3 embryologic layers
What is the most common form of immature tissue in an immature teratoma?
Neuroectoderm - highly malignant
Teratoma containing functioning thyroid tissue
Struma ovarii
What is struma ovarii?
Teratoma containing functioning thyroid tissue (causes hyperthyroidism).
What is somatic malignancy and what is the most common one?
Tissue in a teratoma having cancer. #1 cause = skin squamous cell carcinoma of skin in a teratoma.
Dysgerminoma is a neoplasm of what cells?
Germ cells (eggs)
What is the most common malignant germ cell tumor in females?
Dysgerminoma
How is a dysgerminoma treated?
Radiotherapy (responds well).
Tumor marker for dysgerminoma
LDH
Patient with ovarian mass and increased serum LDH
Dysgerminoma
Tumor marker for yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor
AFP
Patient with testicular/ovarian mass and elevated serum AFP
Yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor
Yolk sac tumor is AKA…
Endodermal sinus tumor
What is the most common germ cell tumor in children?
Yolk sac tumor
Child with ovarian/testicular mass - biopsy shows glomerulus-like (glomeruloid) tissue. Dx?
Yolk sac tumor (glomerulus-like tissue = Schiller-Duval bodies).
What is a Schiller-Duval body?
Glomerulus-like structure seen in ovarian/testicular yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor in kids.
Tumor marker for choriocarcinoma
B-hCG
Ovarian tumor with large primitive cells
Embryonal
<p>Name the 5 ovarian germ cell tumors and some characteristics about each.</p>
<p>Dysgerminoma - most common, formed from eggs. LDH is tumor marker.
Yolk sac tumor - most common in kids. Schiller-Duval bodies (primitive glomeruli). AFP is marker.
Choriocarcinoma- tumor of trophoblastic tissue with no villi. Very aggressive, spreads hematogenously, poor response to chemo if spontaneous mutation. Responds well if it is a result of pregnancy B-HCG is marker.
Teratoma- tumor made of 2 or 3 layers of epithelium. Can contain thyroid tissue (struma ovarii). Usually benign.
Embryonal carcinoma- contains large primitive cells, aggressive with early mets.</p>
<p>Name the 3 ovarian surface epithelial tumors and some characteristics of each.</p>
<p>Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma - cystic, produces mucin. Can cause pseudomyxoma peritonei (full belly of jelly).
Serous cystadenocarcinoma - cystic, produces serous fluid. Increased risk with BRCA-1 mutations. Psammoma bodies on histo.
Brunner tumor - looks like bladder, benign, coffee-bean shaped nuclei on histo.</p>
Ovarian tumor with psammoma bodies.
Serous cystadenocarcinoma
Ovarian tumor presenting with signs of estrogen excess (precocious puberty, abnormal bleeding).
Granulosa-theca cell tumor (produces estrogen).
Reinke crystals
Leydig cell tumor
Ovarian tumor showing tubules and Reinke crystals
Sertoli (tubes) Leydig (Reinke crystals) cell tumor
Ovarian fibroma, pleural effusion, ascites
Meig’s syndrome
Triad seen with Meig’s syndrome
Ovarian fibroma; Ascites; pleural effusion
<p>Name 3 sex-cord stromal tumors of the ovary and some characteristics of each.</p>
<p>Granulosa-Theca cell tumor - secretes high estrogen. Call-Exner bodies (small follicles filled with eosinophilic secretions).
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor - secretes androgen, contains tubules (Sertoli) and Reinke crystals (Leydig);
Fibroma - fibrous tissue. Produce Meig's syndrome: fibroma + pleural effusion + ascites</p>
What are Call-Exner bodies?
Small follicles filled with eosinophilic secretions. Seen in Granulosa-Theca cell tumors.
Ovarian tumor biopsy shows small follicles filled with eosinophilic secretions. Dx?
Granulosa-Theca cell tumor. This is a description of a Call-Exner body.
What is a Krukenburg tumor?
Metastasis of a gastric signet-ring cell (diffuse type) carcinoma to the ovaries. Produces mucous.
What is a signet ring cell and what gynecological tumor is it associated with?
A cell with its nucleus pushed off to the side due to mucous accumulation. Associated with Krukenburg tumor (metastasis of diffuse-type signet ring cell gastric CA to the ovaries).
What GI cancer metastasizes to ovaries?
Diffuse type gastric cancer (signet-ring cell) - Krukenberg tumor.
What is placenta previa?
Placenta overlying the cervical os. Presents as bright red painless bleeding.
Placenta overlying the cervical os.
Placenta previa
Separation of placenta from decidua prior to delivery of fetus.
Placental abruption. Present with dark red, painful bleeding in the 3rd trimester.
<p>What is placenta accreta?</p>
<p>Placenta implantation into the myometrium. Presents with difficult delivery of placenta and massive post-partum bleeding. (increta is into the wall of uterus, all the way through the myometrium, percreta perforates through the uterus).</p>
What will be seen in the vessels of the placenta in pre-eclampsia?
Fibrinoid necrosis
What is pre-eclampsia?
HTN + proteinuria + edema
What is eclampsia?
HTN + proteinuria + edema (pre-eclampsia) + seizures
How do you treat pre-eclampsia?
Magnesium sulfate, deliver ASAP
What is HELLP?
Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets. Seen in pregnancy. Schistocytes are seen on peripheral smear.
What causes HELLP?
Platelet thrombus in a small vessel in the liver causes hemolysis and production of schistocytes with elevation of liver enzymes.
Name 3 risk factors for SIDS.
Sleeping on stomach, smoking in household, prematurity.
Uterus larger than gestational age
Molar pregnancy
What are the “grape-like” masses in a molar pregnancy?
Edematous villi
Snow storm appearance on US
Molar pregnancy
Karyotype of a complete mole
46 XX or XY
What causes a complete mole?
2 sperm fertilizing an empty ovum (46 XX or XY)
What causes a partial mole?
2 sperm fertilizing an egg (69 XXY, XXX or XYY)
What type of mole has fetal parts?
PARTial mole
Which mole has a greater risk of choriocarcinoma?
Complete mole
69 XXY
Partial mole
What is measured to ensure complete removal of a molar pregnancy?
B-hCG
What are the 2 ways to get a choriocarcinoma and how are they differentiated?
Spontaneous germ cell mutation - does NOT respond to chemotherapy; Result of pregnancy (molar) - responds WELL to chemotherapy
Under what circumstances does a choriocarcinoma respond to chemotherapy?
If it arises as a result of a pregnancy. If it arises de novo, it does not respond well to chemo.
What causes hypospadias?
Failure of the urethral folds to close
<p>Opening of the urethra on the inferior (ventral)
| surface of the penis.</p>
<p>Hypospadias</p>
<p>Is hypospadias or epispadias more common?</p>
<p>Hypospadias</p>
<p>Opening of the urethra on the superior (dorsal) surface of the penis.</p>
<p>Epispadias</p>
What causes epispadias?
Abnormal positioning of the genital tubercle
<p>Bladder exstrophy is associated with what penile malformation?</p>
<p>Epispadias</p>
What serotypes of C. trachomatis causes LGV?
L1-L3
What causes SCC of the penis?
High risk HPV - 16, 18, 31, 33; Lack of circumcision
In situ carcinoma presenting as leukoplakia of the shaft of the penis
Bowen disease (can invade as SCC)
In situ carcinoma presenting as erythroplasia of the glans of the penis
Erythroplasia of Queyrat
In situ carcinoma presenting as red papules on the shaft of the penis
Bowenoid papulosis
Cryptorchidism increases the risk for…
Seminoma and infertility
Painful testicle with absent cremasteric reflex
Testicular torsion
What causes infarction in testicular torsion?
The vein is blocked but the artery keeps pumping
What causes hydrocele?
Incomplete closure of processus vaginalis (infants) or blockage of lymphatic drainage (adults)
What are the two general categories of testicular tumors?
Germ cell or sex cord stromal tumors (no surface epithelial tumors like in ovary)
How do you biopsy a testicular tumor?
NEVER biopsy a testicular tumor due to risk of seeding scrotum.
How is a seminoma treated?
Radiotherapy. Responds very well.
Grossly, what is the appearance of a seminoma?
Homogenous mass with no hemorrhage or necrosis.
What happens to testicular embryonal carcinoma when it is treated with chemo?
It can differentiate into a teratoma
What is the #1 testicular tumor in children?
Yolk sac tumor
In choriocarcinoma, what cells make B-HCG?
Syncytiotrophoblasts (mimics TSH and can cause hyperthyroidism!)
Patient with testicular mass and hyperthyroidism. Dx?
Choriocarcinoma. Excess B-HCG produced by tumor mimics TSH.
Describe the appearance of the villi in a choriocarcinoma.
Villi are ABSENT. The tumor is only cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts.
Describe the behavior of testicular teratomas vs. ovarian teratomas
Malignant in males, benign in females
Leydig cell tumors produce…
Androgen
How does a Leydig cell tumor present in adults? Kids?
Kids - precosious puberty; Adults - gynecomastia
How does a male Sertoli cell tumor usually present?
Usually clinically silent
What is the most common cause of testicular mass in males > 60?
Lymphoma - metastasis. Usually DLBCL.
What is the #1 and 2 causes of acute prostatitis in young adults?
C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhea
What is the #1 and 2 causes of acute prostatitis in older adults?
E. coli and pseudomonas
What causes BPH?
DHT (T converted by 5 alpha reductase)
Where in the prostate does BPH occur?
The peri-urethral (lateral and middle) zone of the prostate
What happens to PSA in BPH?
Elevates slightly (4-10, normal is 0-4).
Name 3 treatments for BPH.
Alpha 1 antagonist (terazosin) to relax smooth muscle in hypertensive pts.; Seletive alpha 1A antagonists (tamsulosin) in normotensive patients; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride) to reduce DHT
What is the gross hallmark of BPH?
Nodularity
Where in the prostate does prostatic adenocarcinoma occur and what is the significance of this?
Posterior zone. It is therefore clinically silent, because it occurs away from the urinary zone of the prostate. It is also picked up on DRE because DRE involves palpating the posterior zone.
Describe the appearance of the nuclei of prostate cancer cells.
They contain dark nucleoli - characteristic.
The Gleason grading system for prostate cancer uses what parameters?
Architecture, not nuclear atypia
What type of lesions does prostate cancer produce when metastasizing to spine?
Osteoblastic - causes increased increased alkaline phosphatase, which is indicative of increased osteoblastic activity.
What is flutamide?
Androgen receptor blocker used in prostate cancer
What is leuprolide?
Continuous GnRH analog used in prostate cancer.
What is finasteride?
5 alpha reductase inhibitor used in BPH
Describe the genital lesions seen in primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis.
Primary - painless chancre; Secondary - condyloma lata; tertiary - gumma
Describe the changes seen in the uterus with an ectopic pregnancy.
Deciduilization of the uterus (just like in a normal pregnancy), with no embryonic tissue or villi.
<p>Karyotype, SSX of Klinefelter syndrome</p>
<p>47 XXY. Testicular atrophy, eunuchoid body shape, tall, long extremities, gynecomastia, female hair distribution, Barr body, low T. Increased FSH due to dysgenesis of seminiferous tubules and decreased inhibin. Increased LH due to abnormal Leydig cell function causing increased LH and increased Estrogen. Note that the estrogen:Testosterone ratio determines the extent feminization</p>
<p>Karyotype, SSX of Turner syndrome.</p>
<p>45 XO. Short stature, ovarian dysgenesis (streak ovary with infertility), shield chest, bicuspid aortic valve, webbed neck (defects in lymphatics - cystic hygroma), horseshoe kidney, preductal coarctation of the aorta, NO Barr body. Decreased E leads to increased LH and FSH.</p>
Phenotypically female newborn with testes located in the labia majora and normal female genitalia.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome (46 XY)
Newborn male presents with decreased development of the penis, prostate, and scrotum.
5 alpha reductase deficiency
What causes Kallman syndrome?
Defective migration of GnRH cells and formation of olfactory bulb.
SSX of Kallman syndrome?
Anosmia, lack of secondary sex characteristics, decreased GnRH, FSH, LH, testosterone, and sperm count. Due to defective migration of GnRH cells and formation of olfactory bulb
Male presents with inability to smell and lack of secondary sex characteristics.
Kallman syndrome. Defective migration of GnRH cells and formation of olfactory bulb.
<p>Bent penis due to acquired fibrous tissue formation.</p>
<p>Peryione disease</p>
Describe the actions of the sonic hedgehog gene
Produced at the base of limbs in zone of polarizing activity. Involved in patterning along anterior posterior axis. Involved in CNS development
What can occur with mutation in the sonic hedgehog gene?
holoprosencephaly
Describe the actions of the WNT-7 gene
Produced at apical ectodermal ridge (thickened ectoderm at distal end of each developing limb)
necessary for proper organization along dorsal-ventral axis (so that feet and nose point in the same direction)
Describe the FGF gene
Produced at apical ectodermal ridge. Stimulates mitosis of underlying mesoderm, providing for lengthening of limbs
What occurs with mutation in FGF receptor 3?
Achondroplasia (short limbs)
Describe the Homeobox (HOX) genes
Involved in segmental organization of embryo in a craniosacral direction.
What occurs with a HOX mutation?
Appendages in wrong places
Note that retinoic acid can alter HOX gene expression