5 anatomy of female repro: uterus + cervix (TBC) Flashcards
what is the uterus?
a thick-walled muscular organ
what is the uterus covered by?
most part covered by serous membrane (the peritoneum)
what is the greater part of the uterine wall?
a mass of SM (myometrium)
what happens to the myometrium during pregnancy?
the cells undergo considerable hypertrophy + hyperplasia in preparation for the requirements to expel the foetus at birth
internally, what is the uterine cavity lined by?
mucous membrane (the endometrium)
what does the endometrium (mucous membrane) consist of?
tubular glands that extend from the surface into the connective tissue (stroma)
what is the superficial part of the endometrium called?
stratum functionalis (functional layer)
what is stratum functionalis (superficial endometrium) subject to?
cyclical growth, degeneration + shedding of the dead tissue
what is the deeper part of the endometrium called?
stratum basalis (basal layer)
what is the stratum basalis of the endometrium subject to?
regeneration of the upper endometrium
does NOT take part in cyclical changes
what are the cyclical changes in the structure of the endometrium regulated by?
hormones secreted by the ovary
when is oestrogen secreted?
during folliculogenesis
what does oestrogen secreted during folliculogenesis stimulate?
growth and proliferation of endometrium
what is growth and proliferation of endometrium called?
proliferative phase of the endometrium
build endometrial lining to be maintained by progesterone
what happens after ovulation?
the newly formed corpus luteum secretes progesterone
what does progesterone from CL stimulate?
the endometrial glands to secrete glycogen and causes their extensive coiling and enriches the vascular supply to the mucous membrane (spiral arteries)
(thickening endometrium lining)
which stage does progesterone from CL stimulate?
secretory phase of the endometrium
secrete glycogen - maintain endometrial lining
what is the secretory phase of the endometrium in preparation for?
for the receipt and embedding (implantation) of the conceptus following fertilisation
what happens if the conceptus fails to implant?
the endometrium enters the menstrual phase
what is the menstrual phase brought about by?
the withdrawal of hormonal support (degeneration / luteolysis of corpus luteum) + changes in vascular supply of endometrium (ischaemia from contraction of spiral arteries)
what does withdrawal of hormonal support and changes in vascular supply of endometrium result in?
breakdown and degeneration of bulk of upper endometrium (stratum functionalis), bleeding and shedding of dead tissue - constitute the produces of menses
what is the bulk of tissue composed of in the uterus?
SM fibres
what is the endometrium covered by?
an epithelium overlying the stroma containing uterine glands forming the functional layer
how are the glands within the stroma in the functional layer of the endometrium like?
long, narrow and straight
often slightly dilated
what is the epithelium lining of the uterine cavity and glands?
simple columnar
with mixture of ciliated and secretory cells
what does the stroma of the uterine cavity consist of?
stellate cells surrounded by a fine reticular network
what are the arteries within endometrium of uterine cavity?
spiral / coiled arteries
where are the spiral / coiled arteries mostly located?
in the lower part of the endometrium and appear transversely sectioned
