Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Theca cell
Introduction
The theca folliculi comprise a layer of the ovarian follicles. They appear as the follicles become tertiary follicles.
The theca are divided into two layers: theca interna and theca externa.
Theca interna
Theca interna
Theca interna cells express receptors for luteinizing hormone to produce androstenedione, which via a few steps, gives the granulosa the precursor for estrogen manufacturing.
After rupture of the mature ovarian follicle, the theca interna cells differentiate into the theca lutein cells of the corpus luteum. These cells secrete estradiol.
Theca externa
Theca externa
The theca externa is the outer layers of the theca folliculi. They contain abundant collagen and are mainly supportive.
External links
External links
- Histology image: 14805loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
- Template:UCDavisOrganology – “Mammal, canine ovary (LM, High)”
- Template:UCDavisOrganology – “Mammal, bovine ovary (LM, Medium)”
- Template:UIUCHistologySubject – interna
- Template:UIUCHistologySubject – externa
- Histology at University of Southern California rep/c_16
- Histology at University of Southern California rep/c_18
- Template:AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic
- Slide at trinity.edu
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Infobox Anatomy C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]