Embryology of Urogenital

System
KABSOM 2023

Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Intermediate Mesoderm Forms Much of the Urogenital System

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3 Kidney Systems

4.5 weeks
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 Intermediate Mesoderm Forms the Urogenital Ridge

Urogenital Ridge
(red box)

5 weeks
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The Ureteric Bud Forms as an Outgrowth from the Mesonephric Duct

5.5 weeks
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Collecting System Forms from the Ureteric Bud

6-7 Weeks

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The Ureteric Bud Induces the Metanephric Blastema to
Form Filtration Units

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Molecular Regulation of Kidney Development

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Kidneys Develop in the Pelvic Region

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Ascent of the Kidneys

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 Pelvic and Horseshoe Kidneys

Ureter

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 Polycystic Kidney

Recessive form: 1:5000; cysts from collecting tubules; renal failure in infancy
Dominant form: 1:500-1000: cysts from anywhere; renal failure in adulthood

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Duplications of the Ureters

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 Bladder Development

6 Weeks 7 Weeks 8 Weeks

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Bladder Development: Incorporation of the Mesonephric Duct

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Possible Positions for Ectopic Ureters

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Final Position of the Ureters and Mesonephric Duct (Vas Deferens)

Ejaculatory duct

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Urorectal Septal Defects and Imperforate Anus

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Urachal Abnormalities

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Relationship of the Genital Ridge to the Mesonephric System

Cut Line

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 Migration of the Germ Cells

4 Weeks (early) 6 Weeks

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Relationship of Germ Cells to the Epithelium of the Genital Ridge

6 Weeks

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 Formation of the Seminiferous Tubules

8 weeks 16 weeks
Sertoli cells: derived from epithelium; serve as nurse cells for sperm and
produce antimüllerian hormone (AMH; also called müllerian-inhibiting
substance [MIS])
Interstitial cells (of Leydig): derived from mesenchyme of genital ridge;
secrete testosterone (mesonephric ducts, tubules, etc.; dihydrotestosterone,
external genitalia)
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 Male Tubules and Ducts

16 Weeks 9 Months
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Formation of Primary Oocytes and Follicular Cells

7 Weeks 20 Weeks

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Derivatives of the Paramesonephric Ducts

8 Weeks 9 Months

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Growth of the Urogenital Ridge Produces Fusion between the
Paramesonephric Ducts

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Formation of the Ovarian Ligaments

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Induction of the Vagina by the Paramesonephric Ducts

9 Weeks 12 Weeks Newborn

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Vaginal Development

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Uterine Abnormalities

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Testis and Ovary Development

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Genetic Signals: Male vs. Female

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 External Genitalia: Indifferent Stage

4 Weeks 6 Weeks

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 Penis and Scrotal Development

10 Weeks Newborn

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 Hypospadias

Glandular Hypospadius Urethral and Glandular

Hypospadias

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Female External Genitalia

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Female Pseudohermaphrodism (Adrenogenital Syndrome)

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Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (Testicular Feminization)

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Signals for Sexual Differentiation

SRY

–SRY, +WNT4

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 Descent of the Testes
8 Weeks 19 Weeks

28 Weeks Newborn

Cryptorchidism: Failure of the testes to reach the scrotal sac (3% of newborns)
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Layers Covering the Testis

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Indirect Inguinal Hernias and Hydroceles

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Remnants of the Mesonephric Duct in Females

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