Urogenital System Development

Flashcards covering the key terms and concepts in the development of the urogenital system.

Urogenital System

Includes the urinary and reproductive systems, originating from intermediate mesoderm.

Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, and Urethra

Main components of the urinary system; kidneys filter blood, ureters transport urine, bladder stores urine, and urethra eliminates urine.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Intermediate Mesoderm

The embryonic tissue that gives rise to the urinary and reproductive systems.

Pronephros

The first, non-functional kidney structure that appears during development and disappears around 21-25 days.

Mesonephros

The second kidney structure that functions temporarily during development and consists of glomeruli, Bowman’s capsules, mesonephric tubules, and mesonephric ducts.

Metanephros

The third kidney structure that gives rise to the definitive kidneys.

Ureteric Bud

A sprout from the mesonephric duct that induces the formation of the metanephros and gives rise to the collecting duct system and ureters.

Renal Vesicle

Structure formed during nephron development through mesenchymal-epithelial transition, eventually fusing with the ureteric stalk.

Adrenal Cortex

Part of the adrenal gland derived from intermediate mesoderm; produces glucocorticoids and aldosterone.

Adrenal Medulla

Part of the adrenal gland derived from neural crest cells; produces epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to stress.

Testis and Ovary

The male and female gonads, respectively, responsible for spermatogenesis/oogenesis and hormone production.

Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs)

Cells that migrate from the yolk sac to the gonadal ridge and induce the formation of support cells.

Genital Ridge

Structure formed by intermediate mesoderm where gonads develop.

Paramesonephric (Müllerian) Duct

Structure that develops into the female reproductive organs (fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina) and degenerates in males.

Mesonephric (Wolffian) Duct

Structure that develops into male reproductive organs and contributes to the formation of the posterior wall of the urinary bladder.

Sertoli Cells

Male support cells that produce anti-Müllerian hormone, causing the degeneration of the paramesonephric duct.

Follicle Cells

Female support cells that surround developing oocytes to form primordial follicles.

SRY Protein

Male-specific protein encoded by the Y chromosome gene that initiates male sexual differentiation.

Leydig Cells

Cells that produce testosterone, stimulating the development of the male genital duct system.

Dihydrotestosterone

Hormone responsible for the differentiation of male external genitalia.

Urogenital Sinus

Forms the vaginal plate in females, which canalizes to form the lower vagina.

Broad Ligament

Support structure for the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, formed by the peritoneum.

Genital Tubercle

Embryonic structure that develops into the clitoris in females and the penis in males.