Mullerian duct derivatives vs Wolffian duct derivatives
How to tell Mullerian duct derivatives and Wolffian duct derivatives apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Mullerian is internal female tract; Wolffian is internal male tract driven by testosterone.
Side by side
Mullerian ducts form fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina and persist without anti-Mullerian hormone.
Wolffian ducts form epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts under testosterone influence.
Mullerian ducts persist when AMH/MIS is absent and form fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper one-third of the vagina.
Wolffian ducts require testosterone from Leydig cells to form epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts; without testosterone they regress.
AMH/MIS from Sertoli cells causes Mullerian regression in typical male development; absent AMH allows Mullerian derivatives.
Testosterone preserves Wolffian ducts; DHT masculinizes external genitalia. Upper one-third vagina is Mullerian, lower two-thirds is urogenital sinus.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Mullerian is internal female tract; Wolffian is internal male tract driven by testosterone.
Try a free question
CoreA 46,XX fetus develops without testes; consequently anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is absent. The internal female reproductive tract develops normally. Which embryologic structures give rise to the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper one-third of the vagina?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Mullerian (paramesonephric) ducts. Mullerian (paramesonephric) ducts persist in the absence of AMH and develop into fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and UPPER one-third of vagina. The LOWER two-thirds of vagina derive from the urogenital sinus. In typical male development, Sertoli cells secrete AMH, causing Mullerian regression.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Wolffian (mesonephric) ducts persist under testosterone influence in males to form epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts.
- C. Urogenital sinus forms the bladder, urethra, and LOWER two-thirds of vagina in females.
- D. Genital ridge forms the gonads.
- E. Cloaca is the embryonic chamber that divides into urogenital sinus and rectum.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Mullerian duct derivatives?
Choose Mullerian duct derivatives when the stem gives this pattern: Mullerian ducts form fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina and persist without anti-Mullerian hormone.
What clue supports Wolffian duct derivatives?
Choose Wolffian duct derivatives when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Wolffian ducts form epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts under testosterone influence.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Mullerian duct derivatives from Wolffian duct derivatives?
Mullerian is internal female tract; Wolffian is internal male tract driven by testosterone.
What is the key clue for Mullerian duct derivatives?
Mullerian ducts form fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper vagina and persist without anti-Mullerian hormone.
What is the key clue for Wolffian duct derivatives?
Wolffian ducts form epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts under testosterone influence.