ZOO 3713C Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Mesonephric Duct, Gonadal Ridge, Paramesonephric Duct
Document Summary
Supporting cells rom the mesonephrose and coelomic epithelium invade the genital ridge and aggregate around the primordial germ cells to form the primary sex cords. Germ cells are required for invasion of supporting cells. Supporting cells are required for survival of germ cells. Genital ridge enlarges and forms a cortex and medulla these regions have different fates in males and females. After 6 weeks males and females diverge prior to this is called the indifferent phase of genital development. During week 6 paramesonephric duct ( mullerian duct) forms lateral to the mesonephric duct. Mullerian ducts is an invagination of coelomic epithlium: cranially at the the 3rd thoracic segment, caudally they elongate, join and fuse with the urogenital sinus (medial to the mesonephric ducts) At this time the mesonephric duct opens into the pelvic urethra. The site of fusion with the pelvic urethra is called the mullerian tubercle. The bilaterally fused region of the duct is the uterovaginal canal.
