An Iowa teaching assistant accidentally sent sexually explicit photos of herself to her students on Tuesday, triggering an avalanche of Twitter comments and a formal inquiry by the university.

The TA at the University of Iowa sent a zip file to her Math for Business class at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. The attachment was intended to be solutions to homework problems but instead contained nude photos of her engaging in sexual acts with her boyfriend.

"Hi Class, I attach the solutions for number 76 and 78 in this email," she wrote in her email.

Students' reactions broke out over Twitter. @livinthemiddle Tweeted at 1:27 a.m. today, "breaking news: an Iowa TA accidentally emailed naked pictures of herself to 80+ students instead of sending the study guide #uhoh".

At 7:07 a.m., @merschman Tweeted, "Class with the most famous TA in University of Iowa history starts in an hour and a half. Wish me luck! Should I ask for an autograph?"

University of Iowa spokesman Tom Moore confirmed that a TA sent an inappropriate email to her students and that the school is looking into the matter.

"The individual who sent the messages has stated that it was an accident. She regrets her actions," Moore said. "This incident was inappropriate, and the university will look into it and take appropriate actions under our policies and procedures."

Any disciplinary measured that may be imposed on the TA would not be a public matter since she is also a student, Moore said, and the university has asked the students to delete the email since it was sent inadvertently.

"We'd like to protect her privacy," Moore said.