Theca of follicle

Theca of follicle
Details
Latin	theca folliculi
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	t_07/12801620
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

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, the theca interna and the theca externa.

The theca interna is responsible for the production of androstenedione, and indirectly the production of 17β estradiol, also called E2, by supplying the neighboring granulosa cells with androstenedione that with the help of the enzyme aromatase can be used as a substrate for this type of estradiol. FSH induces the granulosa cells to make aromatase that converts the androgens made by the theca interna into estradiol. Also, the theca interna is highly vascular and possesses LH receptors, not FSH. Note that the estradiol promotes the formation of LH receptors on granulosa cells, which also have FSH receptors.

See also

• theca
• thecoma

External links

• Histology image: 14805loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• Anatomy photo: Reproductive/mammal/ovary2/ovary5 - Comparative Organology at University of California, Davis - "Mammal, canine ovary (LM, High)"
• Anatomy photo: Reproductive/mammal/ovary5/ovary6 - Comparative Organology at University of California, Davis - "Mammal, bovine ovary (LM, Medium)"
• UIUC Histology Subject 372 - interna
• UIUC Histology Subject 373 - externa
• Anatomy Atlases - Microscopic Anatomy, plate 13.249
• Slide at trinity.edu