5 anatomy of female repro: uterus + cervix (TBC)

Question 1

what is the uterus?

Answer 1

a thick-walled muscular organ

Question 2

what is the uterus covered by?

Answer 2

most part covered by serous membrane (the peritoneum)

Question 3

what is the greater part of the uterine wall?

Answer 3

a mass of SM (myometrium)

Question 4

what happens to the myometrium during pregnancy?

Answer 4

the cells undergo considerable hypertrophy + hyperplasia in preparation for the requirements to expel the foetus at birth

Question 5

internally, what is the uterine cavity lined by?

Answer 5

mucous membrane (the endometrium)

Question 6

what does the endometrium (mucous membrane) consist of?

Answer 6

tubular glands that extend from the surface into the connective tissue (stroma)

Question 7

what is the superficial part of the endometrium called?

Answer 7

stratum functionalis (functional layer)

Question 8

what is stratum functionalis (superficial endometrium) subject to?

Answer 8

cyclical growth, degeneration + shedding of the dead tissue

Question 9

what is the deeper part of the endometrium called?

Answer 9

stratum basalis (basal layer)

Question 10

what is the stratum basalis of the endometrium subject to?

Answer 10

regeneration of the upper endometrium

does NOT take part in cyclical changes

Question 11

what are the cyclical changes in the structure of the endometrium regulated by?

Answer 11

hormones secreted by the ovary

Question 12

when is oestrogen secreted?

Answer 12

during folliculogenesis

Question 13

what does oestrogen secreted during folliculogenesis stimulate?

Answer 13

growth and proliferation of endometrium

Question 14

what is growth and proliferation of endometrium called?

Answer 14

proliferative phase of the endometrium

build endometrial lining to be maintained by progesterone

Question 15

what happens after ovulation?

Answer 15

the newly formed corpus luteum secretes progesterone

Question 16

what does progesterone from CL stimulate?

Answer 16

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)

Question 17

which stage does progesterone from CL stimulate?

Answer 17

secretory phase of the endometrium

secrete glycogen - maintain endometrial lining

Question 18

what is the secretory phase of the endometrium in preparation for?

Answer 18

for the receipt and embedding (implantation) of the conceptus following fertilisation

Question 19

what happens if the conceptus fails to implant?

Answer 19

the endometrium enters the menstrual phase

Question 20

what is the menstrual phase brought about by?

Answer 20

the withdrawal of hormonal support (degeneration / luteolysis of corpus luteum) + changes in vascular supply of endometrium (ischaemia from contraction of spiral arteries)

Question 21

what does withdrawal of hormonal support and changes in vascular supply of endometrium result in?

Answer 21

breakdown and degeneration of bulk of upper endometrium (stratum functionalis), bleeding and shedding of dead tissue - constitute the produces of menses

Question 22

what is the bulk of tissue composed of in the uterus?

Answer 22

SM fibres

Question 23

what is the endometrium covered by?

Answer 23

an epithelium overlying the stroma containing uterine glands forming the functional layer

Question 24

how are the glands within the stroma in the functional layer of the endometrium like?

Answer 24

long, narrow and straight

often slightly dilated

Question 25

what is the epithelium lining of the uterine cavity and glands?

Answer 25

simple columnar

with mixture of ciliated and secretory cells

Question 26

what does the stroma of the uterine cavity consist of?

Answer 26

stellate cells surrounded by a fine reticular network

Question 27

what are the arteries within endometrium of uterine cavity?

Answer 27

spiral / coiled arteries

Question 28

where are the spiral / coiled arteries mostly located?

Answer 28

in the lower part of the endometrium and appear transversely sectioned