What are the two initial pairs of genital ducts in embryonic development?

In the indifferent stage, embryos develop two pairs of ducts: the mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts and the paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts. These later differentiate into male or female structures under hormonal influence.

How do male genital ducts develop from the mesonephric ducts?

Under testosterone and MIF influence, the mesonephric duct differentiates into structures including vasa efferentia, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, and ejaculatory duct. Vestigial remnants like the appendix of the testis also form.

What structures form from the paramesonephric ducts in females?

Under estrogen influence, the paramesonephric ducts develop into the uterine tubes, uterus, and upper vagina. The vagina has a composite origin from mesoderm and endoderm.

What are common uterine anomalies related to genital duct development?

Anomalies arise from issues like fusion failure or agenesis, including double uterus (e.g., uterus didelphys), bicornuate or unicornuate uterus, and septate uterus or agenesis. These can affect reproductive function.

How does the vagina form during development?

The vagina forms from the vaginal plate, with the upper part from mesoderm (uterovaginal canal) and lower part from endoderm (sinovaginal bulbs). Canalization completes by the 5th month, and the hymen forms at the junction with the urogenital sinus.

What are vestigial remnants of genital ducts in males and females?

In males, remnants include mesonephric structures like the appendix of epididymis and paradidymis, and paramesonephric structures like the appendix of testis and prostatic utricle. In females, mesonephric remnants form structures like Gartner’s duct, which may cause cysts.

What hormones guide the differentiation of genital ducts?

Differentiation is guided by gonadal hormones: testosterone and MIF promote male duct development from mesonephric ducts, while estrogen supports female duct formation from paramesonephric ducts.

Genital Ducts – Wolffian vs Müllerian Derivatives

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