Theca of follicle

The theca folliculi comprise a layer of the

The theca are divided into two layers, the theca interna and the theca externa.^[1]

Theca cells are a group of endocrine cells in the ovary made up of connective tissue surrounding the follicle. They have many diverse functions, including promoting folliculogenesis and recruitment of a single follicle during ovulation.^[2] Theca cells and granulosa cells together form the stroma of the ovary.

Androgen synthesis

Theca cells are responsible for synthesizing

Theca cells are responsible for the production of

Hyperactivity of theca cells causes hyperandrogenism, and hypoactivity leads to a lack of estrogen.[6] Granulosa cell tumors, while rare (less than 5% of ovarian cancers), may both granulosa cells and theca cells.^[7] Thecomas are benign proliferations of theca cells that may present with hormonal dysfunction.^[8]

Theca cells (along with granulosa cells) form the corpus luteum during oocyte maturation. Theca cells are only correlated with developing ovarian follicles.^[6] They are the leading cause of endocrine-based infertility, as either hyperactivity or hypoactivity of the theca cells can lead to fertility problems.

Folliculogenesis

In human adult females, the

As development of the

In tertiary follicles, the single-layered theca differentiates into a theca interna and theca externa. The theca interna contains glandular cells and many small blood vessels, while the theca externa is composed of dense connective tissue and larger blood vessels.^[9]

See also

• ovary
• theca
• thecoma
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
  (PCOS)
• dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
• luteinizing hormone (LH)
• follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

References