The rete ovarii (pl.: retia ovarii) is a structure formed from the primary sex cords in females. [1]
It is the homologue of the rete testis in males. [2] It is a narrow hilus, at which nerves and vessels enter the ovary. In the medulla of the mammalian ovary near the hilus are small masses of blind tubules or solid cords—the rete ovarii—which are homologous with the rete testis in the male. The microscopic right ovary of birds usually consists only of medullary tissue.
The rete ovarii is important in the control of meiosis in the maturing ovary. Cells of the rete ovarii also differentiate to form granulosa cells. The rete is also attributed with secretory capacity, a hypothesis supported by the observation of secretory material in the lumen of rete tubules in several species. [3]
A testicle or testis is the male gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testicles are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testosterone. Testosterone release is controlled by the anterior pituitary luteinizing hormone, whereas sperm production is controlled both by the anterior pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadal testosterone.
An androgen is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. This includes the embryological development of the primary male sex organs, and the development of male secondary sex characteristics at puberty. Androgens are synthesized in the testes, the ovaries, and the adrenal glands.
Seminiferous tubules are located within the testicles, and are the specific location of meiosis, and the subsequent creation of male gametes, namely spermatozoa.
The rete testis is an anastomosing network of delicate tubules located in the hilum of the testicle that carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts. It is the homologue of the rete ovarii in females. Its function is to provide a site for fluid reabsorption.
In biology, a tubule is a general term referring to small tube or similar type of structure. Specifically, tubule can refer to:
The development of the urinary system begins during prenatal development, and relates to the development of the urogenital system – both the organs of the urinary system and the sex organs of the reproductive system. The development continues as a part of sexual differentiation.
The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play a role in the process of human reproduction. These organs are located on the outside of the body, and within the pelvis.
A spermatogonium is an undifferentiated male germ cell. Spermatogonia undergo spermatogenesis to form mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
Fish reproductive organs include testes and ovaries. In most species, gonads are paired organs of similar size, which can be partially or totally fused. There may also be a range of secondary organs that increase reproductive fitness. The genital papilla is a small, fleshy tube behind the anus in some fishes, from which the sperm or eggs are released; the sex of a fish can often be determined by the shape of its papilla.
Embryonal carcinoma is a relatively uncommon type of nonseminomatous germ cell tumour that occurs in the ovaries and testes.
The epoophoron or epoöphoron is a remnant of the mesonephric duct that can be found next to the ovary and fallopian tube.
Sex cords are embryonic structures which eventually will give rise (differentiate) to the adult gonads. They are formed from the genital ridges - which will develop into the gonads - in the first 2 months of gestation which depending on the sex of the embryo will give rise to male or female sex cords. These epithelial cells penetrate and invade the underlying mesenchyme to form the primitive sex cords. This occurs shortly before and during the arrival of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) to the paired genital ridges. If there is a Y chromosome present, testicular cords will develop via the Sry gene : repressing the female sex cord genes and activating the male. If there is no Y chromosome present the opposite will occur, developing ovarian cords. Prior to giving rise to sex cords, both XX and XY embryos have Müllerian ducts and Wolffian ducts. One of these structures will be repressed to induce the other to further differentiate into the external genitalia.
In embryology, the genital ridge is the developmental precursor to the gonads. The genital ridge initially consists mainly of mesenchyme and cells of underlying mesonephric origin. Once oogonia enter this area they attempt to associate with these somatic cells. Development proceeds and the oogonia become fully surrounded by a layer of cells.
Simple cuboidal epithelium is a type of epithelium that consists of a single layer of cuboidal (cube-like) cells which have large, spherical and central nuclei.
The tubuli seminiferi recti are structures in the testicle connecting the convoluted region of the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis, although the tubuli recti have a different appearance distinguishing them from these two structures.
The development of the reproductive system is the part of embryonic growth that results in the sex organs and contributes to sexual differentiation. Due to its large overlap with development of the urinary system, the two systems are typically described together as the genitourinary system.
The development of the gonads is part of the prenatal development of the reproductive system and ultimately forms the testicles in males and the ovaries in females. The immature ova originate from cells from the dorsal endoderm of the yolk sac. Once they have reached the gonadal ridge they are called oogonia. Development proceeds and the oogonia become fully surrounded by a layer of connective tissue cells. In this way, the rudiments of the ovarian follicles are formed.
In most terrestrial mammals, the scrotum or scrotal sac is a part of the external male genitalia located at the base of the penis. It consists of a sac of skin containing the external spermatic fascia, testicles, epididymides, and vasa deferentia. The scrotum will usually tighten when exposed to cold temperatures.
Scrotalultrasound is a medical ultrasound examination of the scrotum. It is used in the evaluation of testicular pain, and can help identify solid masses.