Exam III - Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the two major functions of the ovaries?
- produce the female gametes
- produce the sex hormones
_____________ is the continuous process throughout reproductive life whereby primordial follicles undergo maturation during each reproductive cycle
Folliculogenesis
Follicular growth and maturation is dependent on ______________ from the adenohypophysis
Follicular growth and maturation is dependent on Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) from the adenohypophysis
Identify the ovarian follicle labeled ‘P’
Primordial Follicle
Primary oöcyte is enclosed by flattened simple squamous follicular cells that rest on a basal lamina. Retained in a resting stage from the time they formed in the fetal ovary.
Identify the ovarian follicle in this H&E section and briefly describe it.
Primary follicle
A primary oöcyte enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells. Oöcyte is larger than that found in a primordial follicle.
Identify the ovarian follicle in this H&E section and briefly describe it.
Secondary Follicle
A primary oöcyte enclosed by several layers of follicular cells. Follicular cells proliferate through mitosis and are called granulosa cells
Identify the structure labeled ‘A’ in this H&E section of a secondary ovarian follicle
Zona Pellucida
glycoprotein layer located at the interphase between the oöcyte and the granulosa cells
Identify the structure labeled ‘B’ in this H&E section of a secondary ovarian follicle
Theca cells
large, pale staining, spindleshaped cells that have the morphology of steroid producing/metabolizing cells
Identify the structure labeled ‘C’ in this H&E section of a secondary ovarian follicle
Granulosa cells
acquire receptors for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), important in the development of the follicle
Identify the ovarian follicle in this H&E section and briefly describe its features.
Tertiary follicle
Follicle becomes larger, small liquid-filled areas appear between the granulosa cells (antrum). Fluid inside the antrum is called liquor folliculi
What do we call the layer of follicular cells surrounding the oocyte (indicated by arrow A)?
What do we call the aggregation of granulosa cells (indicated by arrow B)?
(H&E section of tertiary ovarian follicle)
A - Corona radiata
B - cumulus oophorus
Identify the ovarian follicle in this H&E section and briefly describe its features.
Mature (Graafian) Follicle
This follicle is almost ready for ovulation.
Oöcyte detaches from the cumulus oöphorus and floats free in the follicular fluid. Follicular cells acquire luteinizing hormone receptors (LH) necessary for the development of the corpus luteum
What is occuring in these H&E images (ovarian follicle)? How can you tell?
Follicular atresia is occuring
Majority of follicles degenerate through a process called atresia (follicles in any stage of development can be affected). The oöcyte, the zona pellucida, and the follicular cells degenerate and are resorbed.
The basal lamina of the granulosa cells becomes hyalinized, forming the glassy membrane labeled GM in the image
After ovulation, blood flows into the antrum and the ruptured follicle becomes the _____________.
After ovulation, blood flows into the antrum and the ruptured follicle becomes the:
corpus hemorrhagicum
_____________ is the process by which the granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)
Luteinization is the process by which the granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)
In Corpus Luteum, in response to FSH and LH, granulosa lutein cells produce ___________
in response to FSH and LH, granulosa lutein cells produce progesterone and estrogen
In response to LH, theca lutein cells produce ______________
In response to LH, theca lutein cells produce progesterone
What is the yellow pigment seen in corpus luteum?
Lutein
Yellow pigment (lutein) appears in the luteal cells of carnivores, mares and cows (“corpus”, body; “luteum”, yellow)
Involution of the corpus luteum results in a fibrous scar called ___________
Involution of the corpus luteum results in a fibrous scar called
corpus albicans
Identify the structure labeled ‘A’ in this H&E section of the oviduct.
Tunica muscularis
inner circular and an outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
Identify the structure labeled ‘B’ in this H&E section of the oviduct.
Serosa
contains blood vessels and nerves
Identify the structure labeled ‘C’ in this H&E section of the oviduct.
Broad Ligament
Identify ‘A’ in this H&E section of the uterus.
Myometrium
Identify ‘B’ in this H&E section of the uterus.
Endometrium
Identify ‘C’ in this H&E section of the uterus.
Stratum vasculare
Identify ‘D’ in this H&E section of the uterus.
Perimetrium
Identify the specified region on this H&E section of the uterus.
Myometrium
What are the primary functions of the cervix?
- Provides a seal that prevents organisms and substances from entering the cranial vagina
- Functions as a gatekeeper by holding the products of conception within the uterus until parturition
**If there was no cervix, we would not be able to avoid contaminants from the urinary system, etc…
The connective tissue and lymphoid follicles found histologically below the mucosa are referred to as the ____________
The connective tissue and lymphoid follicles found histologically below the mucosa are referred to as the:
Propria-submucosa
Which stage of the estrus cycle is pictures here? What are some of the characteristics?
Proestrus
Early proestrus → all types of epithelial cells as well as erythrocytes and neutrophils are present
Late proestrus → lower neutrophils, intermediate and superficial cells dominate
**You will see nuclei present in this stage
Which stage of the estrus cycle is pictures here? What are some of the characteristics?
Estrus
Estrus → Superficial/keratinized cells are almost all of the cells (>90%); many are anucleate.
Neutrophils are absent and erythrocytes may be present in variable numbers
Which stage of the estrus cycle is pictures here? What are some of the characteristics?
Diestrus
- Diestrus → Number of superficial cells abruptly decreases.
- Intermediate and parabasal cells increase (>50%)
- Neutrophils increase in number and erythrocytes may be present again
