Exam I Flashcards
Female Histo: The ovary is an almond-shaped structure that produces the female gonads (oocytes). It is an endocrine organ that releases estrogen and progesterone.
It is attached to the uterus via the ____1___, and is a subdivision of the ___2____.
- ovarian ligament
2. broad ligament
Female Histo: There are two sources of blood supply to the ovary:
- _______, which arise from the abdominal aorta. They enter the ovary via the suspensory ligament and serve as the main arterial supply to the ovary and uterine tube.
- ______ arise from the internal iliac arteries and enter the ovary at the hilum. They become helicine/spiral arteries. These arteries anastamose with #1.
- Ovarian arteries
- Ovarian branches of uterine arteries
**uterine tube supplied by ovarian (lateral 1/3) and uterine (medial 2/3)
Female Histo: Venous drainage of ovaries and the uterine tube occur via the _________ in the broad ligament. The veins then merge to form a single ovarian vein.
Pampiniform plexus
- Rt. ovarian vein: IVC
- Left ovarian: Left renal vein
Female Histo: True/False - Venous drainage of the uterine tube is via
Ovarian veins (Lateral 1/3) and Uterine venous plexys
Female Histo: Innervation of the ovary and uterine tube is via
- Ovarian plexus
- Uterine plexus
These are mixed autonomic plexuses containing autonomic (PNS, SNS) and sensory stimuli. In addition, visceral afferent pain fibers follow PNS fibers to ______ spinal ganglia.
T11-L1
Female Histo: The ovaries are composed of cortex (outer region w/ ovarian follicles), and medulla (central region w/ loss CT, blood vessels, lymph, and nerves).
The ovaries are covered by a single layer of cuboidal to squamous cells known as ______ epithelium, which is continuous with mesothelium. Before puberty, this surface is smooth, but after puberty, it becomes scarred and irregular (repeated ovulations).
Germinal epithelium
NOTE: tunica albuginea - dense CT b/t germinal epithelium and cortex
Female Histo: True/False - post-menopause, the ovaries will decrease to 1/4th the size of ovaries in reproductive years
true
Female Histo: Ovaries have two inter-related functions:
- To produce gametes (oocytes)
- To produce steroids (steroidogenesis)
Sex steroids include estrogen and progesterone. _____ is responsible for promoting growth and maturation of the internal and external sex organs. It is responsible for female sex characteristics (@ puberty), and promotes breast development.
Estrogen
*breasts: ductal/stromal growth and inc. adipose
Female Histo: Sex steroids include estrogen and progesterone.
Progestogens have which of the following functions?
a. prep internal sex organs (uterus) for pregnancy (endometrial changes)
b. prep mammary gland for lactation (lobular proliferation)
c. enhance pubic hair development
d. promotes female characteristics at puberty
A and B
Female Histo: Ovarian follicles vary in size. DIfferent sizes indicate different stages of oocyte development, however, each follicle contains a single oocyte.
True/False - Early stages of oogenesis occur during fetal life, then arrest at first meiotic division.
True
~5 million in fetus
- 20% of oocytes remain at birth (due to atresia)
- 6-12 follicles begin developing each cycle
Female Histo: Ovarian follicles vary in size. DIfferent sizes indicate different stages of oocyte development, however, each follicle contains a single oocyte.
List the follicle stages
- Primordial
- Primary
- -unilaminar
- -multilaminar - Secondary (antral)
- Mature or Graafian
Female Histo: Oocytes arrest at ______, where they remain in arrest until puberty and the LH surge.
Prophase I
*Meiotic inhibotory factor (oocyte maturation inhibitor) keeps oocytes arrested
Female histo: _______ are the earliest developing follicles that appear in the ovaries during the 3rd month of fetal development.
Primordial follicles
Female histo: At birth, the newborn girl has about 2 million oocytes. At puberty, the girl has 400,00 oocytes.
How many are left at ovulation?
400-450
*all others atretic
Female histo: The germinal epithelium is simple cuboidal. Tumors that arise from this layer represent ~70% of ovarian cancers.
True/False - One theory for the development of these tumors is the repeated ovulations and repeated needs for repair.
True
Female histo: During development, follicular cells become granulosa cells which change from squamous epithelium to cuboidal epithelium.
The oocyte begins to secrete _____ which acts on granulosa cells to induce proliferation and promotes formation of multi-layered granulosa cells that surround the oocyte.
Activin
Female histo: Granulosa cells continue to secrete OMI (oocyte maturation inhibitor) to keep the oocyte frozen in prophase I.
During this time, the oocyte begins to secrete the components of the zona pellucida, which gets deposited between the oocyte and the granulosa cells.
What is the importance of the ZP?
*generates fertilization-competent sperm
Female histo: As granulosa proliferation continues, fluid filled spaces appear between these cells. These eventually fuse to form _____
antrum/vesicle
- follicles with antrums are dependent on FSH
- prior to this stage, follicle development does NOT depend on FSH
Female Histo: True/False- Factors required for later stages of growth (secondary follicle and oocyte) include FSH, EGF, IGF-1 and calcium.
True
Female Histo: As the antrum develops, CT cells outside of the follicle become organized.
The theca interna is the inner layer of cells next to the follicle. It is highly vascularized and expresses _____ receptors. These are important for the synthesis and secretion of androstenedione.
LH receptors
- synthesize and secrete androstendione
- taken up by granulosa cells – converted to testosterone and then E2
Female Histo: LH stimulates _____ cells to secrete androstenedione, which is transported to the sER of the granulosa cells.
In response to FSH, the granulosa cells then convert androstenedione to testosterone, and then 17B estradial.
Theca interna cells
*E2 - induces proliferation of granulosa cells (inc. follicular size)
Female histo: The late secondary follicle is formed as the antrum continues to increase.
Some granulosa cells maintain intimate contact with the oocyte, ultimately forming the ______ which is released with the oocyte during ovulation.
corona radiata
Female Histo: Inc. E2 leads to inc. sensitization of basophils to GnRH and Inc. release of FSH/LH (surge).
24 hours prior to ovulation, surge in release of FSH/LH occurs. In response to LH, granulosa cells downregulate LH receptors, and no longer produce estrogen. This triggers the first
meiotic division (1st polar body and secondary oocyte)
*secondary oocyte arrested at metaphase of meiosis II
Female Histo: Following ovulation, the granulosa and theca cells undergo luteinization and _______ is produced
progesterone
*Theca lutein, granulosa lutein
Female Histo: Ovulation is the release of secondary oocyte from the mature, graafian follicle. It occurs following the LH surge (signalled by inc. estrogen).
Prior to ovulation, the oocyte traverses the entire follicular wall and the germinal epithelium. This is due to hormonal changes and inc. enzyme activity. List these changes
- Inc. follicular fluid
- plasminogen digests the follicular wall
- GAGs deposit b/t granulosa and oocyte
- Prostaglandin induces contraction of SM in the theca externa
Female Histo: Prior to ovulation, blood flow stops to the area overlying the bulging follicle.
As a result, the ______ becomes elevated and ruptures, resulting in forceful expulsion of the oocyte, corona radiata and cumulus oophorus.
stigma
*corpus hemorrhagicum w/ central clot
Female Histo: _______ is the process of follicle degeneration and loss. It occurs at any stage of development. Most follicles are lost by atresia mediated by apoptosis of granulosa cells.
Ovarian follicular atresia
- collapse of follicle and CT invasion
- granulosa cells apoptose
- glassy membrane
Female Histo: The corpus luteum is the structure that remains following ovulation. It develops due to morphological changes in the cells and is viable for ~14 days in the absence of a viable pregnancy.
What are the morphological changes that occur?
- Inc. cell size
- accumulate lipid droplets/lipochrome
- resemble steroid secreting cells (sER/mito)
Female Histo: Following ovulation, the remaining follicle forms the corpus luteum. It develops via morphological changes in the cells and is viable for ~14 days. In the absence of a viable pregnancy it degrades to form the corpus albicans.
What are the morphological changes that occur?
- Inc. cell size
- accumulate lipid droplets/lipochrome
- resemble steroid secreting cells (sER/mito)
Female Histo: The corpus luteum of pregnancy forms in the presence of a viable pregnancy.
It requires paracrine and endocrine secretions (leutotropins) for maintenance. Which of the following is a paracrine leutotropin?
a. estrogen
b. IGF-I
c. hcG
d. LH
Estrogen and IGF I/II (ovary)
Endocrine:
- hcG (embryo)
- LH and prolactin (pituitary)
- insulin (pancreas)
*progesterone blocks cyclic development of follicles
Female Histo: Estrogen and Progesterone are produced in the corpus luteum in response to FSH and LH.
- In response to LH, ____ lutein cells secrete androstenedione, which is taken. up by granulosa letein cells.
- In response to FSH, _____ lutein cells convert androstenedione to estradiol. These cells also secrete progesterone in response to FSH.
- Theca lutein
- Granulosa lutein
E2 - stimulates granulosa lutein to uptake cholesterol for progesterone synthesis
Female Histo: The _____ is the degenerated corpus luteum that occurs from lack of viable pregnancy. Cells undergo involution, resulting in decreased size, involution and autolysis.
True/False - The absence of hcG, progesterone and estrogen ultimately lead to inc. FSH and initiation of follicle development.
True
Female Histo: Following ovultaion, the oocyte enters the uterine tube. The uterine tubes are paired tubes that extend from uterus to ovaries. They function in transport of the oocyte from the ovary to the tissues, and also act as the site of fertilization and embryo development.
What is the MC site of fertilization?
Ampulla of uterine tube
4 segments:
- infundibulum w/ fimbrae
- ampula (longest site)
- isthmus
- uterine/intramural
Female Histo: The uterine tube functions in oocyte transport and acts as site of fertilizatin. It is composed of 3 histologic layers:
- Mucosa
- Muscularis
- Serosa
________ is composed of simple columnar epithelium with ciliated or peg cells.
Mucosa
- muscularis
- serosa: mesothelium
Female Histo: The uterine tube is the site of bidirectional transport with the sperm moving up the tube via flagellar motility, and the oocyte moving down the tube toward the ampulla via ciliary motility and peristaltic contractions.
True
NOTE: developing zygote remains in uterine tube for ~3 days before entering uterus for implantation
Female Histo:
- _____ are ciliated cells within the mucose of the uterine tube. They beat the oocyte towards the uterus and inc. in # w/ E2 stimulation.
- ____ are non-ciliated cells the provide nutritive fluid for the oocyte/embryo. They are inc. by progesterone.
- Ciliated cells
- Peg cells
- hypertrophy during follicular
- atrophy during luteal
Female Histo: The _____ is a thick walled, pear shaped, hollow and muscular structure. Its shape is dynamic and changes with pregnancy.
It receives the morula from the uterine tube and acts as the site of all subsequent embryonic/fetal development. It consists of 2 main parts:
- Superior 2/3 (body)
- Inferior 1/3 (cervix)
uterus
Female Histo: The uterine arteries provide the main source of blood to the uterus. The are branches of the internal iliac.
What provides collateral supply?
Ovarian arteries (abdominal aorta)
Veins: uterine venous plexus into internal iliac
Female Histo: Sympathetic innervation of the uterus is derived from the _________, that originates from T12-L1.
Parasympathetic innervation comes from S2-S4.
inferior hypogastric plexus
Female Histo: The uterine wall is composed of the
- Endometrium
- Myometrium
- Perimetrium
________ undergoes monthly cyclic changes in the absence of pregnancy. Its thickness varies with the cycle
Endometrium
Female Histo: The uterine wall is composed of the
- Endometrium
- Myometrium
- Perimetrium (visceral peritoneal)
_____ us a SM layer that undergoes monthly cyclic changes in the absence of pregnancy. In pregnancy, cells undergo hypertrophy (10x increase).
Myometrium
- Inhibit contraction during pregnancy
- –relaxin (ovary/placenta) - Contraction during parturition
- –oxytocin (post. pituitary)
Female histo: Uterine blood supply originates in the myometrium and extends upwards towards the endometrium.
The uterine artery in the myometrium gives rise to ______ arteries that anastomose and form radial arteries. These radial arteries enter the basal layer of the endometrium.
arcuate arteries
Female histo: The radial arteries (derived from the arcuate arteries in the myometrium) enter the basal layer of the endometrium and become ______ which supply the stratum basale.
straight arteries
Female histo: The main branch of the radial artery continues upwarding and coiling, forming the ______ artery. These arteries form capillary beds and supply the endometrium.
Spiral arteries
*distal regions undergo degeneration and regeneration (dec. progesterone)
Female histo: Cyclic changes occur in the stratum functionale layer (endometrium) over a 28 day cycle. It is regulated by gonadotropins.
It occurs in 3 successive phases:
- Menstrual phase
- Proliferative phase
- Secretory phase
_______ occurs concurrently with follicle maturation and is influenced by ovarain secretion of estrogen.
proliferative phase
e. g. follicular/estrogenic phase
* thickened endometrium ~1 mm (by mitosis)
Female histo: Cyclic changes occur in the stratum functionale layer (endometrium) over a 28 day cycle. It is regulated by gonadotropins.
It occurs in 3 successive phases:
- Menstrual phase
- Proliferative phase
- Secretory phase
___ begins as ovarian hormone (E2 and progesterone) production is decreased and the corpus luteum degenerates. The low hormone levels also leads to subsequent contraction and relaxation of the spiral arteries, and ultimately, arterial rupture.
menstrual phase
- days 1-4
- lose 35-50 ml blood
- spiral artery constriction – ischemia and necrosis of functionale layer
- straight arteries supply basal layer (no necrosis)
Female histo: Cyclic changes occur in the stratum functionale layer (endometrium) over a 28 day cycle. It is regulated by gonadotropins.
It occurs in 3 successive phases:
- Menstrual phase
- Proliferative phase
- Secretory phase
_______ coincides with the functional activity of the corpus luteum. It is primarily influenced by progesterone
secretory phase
(i.e. luteal/progesterone phase)
- continued endometrial thickening (5-7 mm)
- corkscrew glands
- glycogen, mucous
Female Histo: The cervix is the lower region of the uteris. It consists of dense, CT and little SM.
True/False - the mucosa of the cervix differs from that of the uterine body. The endometrial layer does NOT undergo cyclic proliferation/shedding due to lack of spiral arteries.
True
- ectocervix
- endocervix
- transformation zone
Female histo: The cervix is composed of two types of epithelium:
- ________ projects into the vagina. It is stratified squamous wet w/ washed out cytoplasma and lots of glycogen.
- _____ is the cervical canal. It is made up of simple, columnar mucous secreting epithelium. It contains cervical glands.
These layers are separated by a transformation zone.
- Ectocervix
2. Endocervix
Female histo: The endocervix contains cervical glands, large branched mucous glands of the endometrium. These glands secrete mucous in different amounts, and the properties of the mucous differ based on their regulation by estrogen or progesterone.
- Estrogen leads to increased ______ mucous which aids in sperm transit.
- Progesterone inc. production of viscous mucous.
- Watery mucous
2. Viscous mucous
Female histo: The transformation zone separates the endocervix from the ectocervix. It is a common site of metaplastic change (cervical cancer) that is detectable via pap smear.
The transformation zone changes with age. Before puberty, is is located close to the external os. How does this differ from puberty and post-menopause?
- Puberty
- -outside of external os - Post-menopause
- -within cervical canal
*95% intraepithelail neoplasias originate in transformation zone
Female histo: The vagina is a fibromuscular sheath that extends from the cervix to the external reproductive organs. It does not contain glands.
- Blood supply to the superior region of the vagina comes from the: _____ arteries
- Supply to middle/inferior comes from _____
- Uterine arteries
- Vaginal and internal pudendal
*veins — vaginal venous plexuses continuous with uterine plexus – internal iliac veins
Female histo: The inferior 1/5 to 1/4 of the vagina has somatic innervation via the ______. It is a branch of the pudendeal nerve.
These fibers are sympathetic and visceral afferent fibers sensitive to touch and temperature.
deep perineal nerve