(F) Lec 1: The Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Familiarize the role of the female reproductive system
- Produces female gametes
- Provides environment for fertilization
- Holds embryo for complete development until birth
- Produces steroidal sex hormones
Producing female gametes is the role of which organ in the system?
Ovaries
Providing an environment for fertilization is the role of which organ in the system?
Uterus
Holding the embryo for complete development until birth is the role of which organ in the system?
Uterus
What are the steroidal female sex hormones?
Estrogen and progesterone
Which part of the brain releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone?
Hypothalamus
What hormone signals the pituitary gland to release luteinizing and follicular-stimulating hormone?
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Which is signaled to release luteinizing and follicular-stimulating hormone?
Pituitary gland
What is the complete LE of the surface or germinal epithelium of the ovaries?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
This part of the ovaries is continues with mesothelium and overlying a dense connective tissue capsule
Surface or germinal epithelium
This is a dense connective capsule that is overlined by the mesothelium
Tunica albuginea
Parts of the ovaries
Cortex and Medulla
Part of the ovaries which is highly cellular connective tissue and contains the ovarian follicles
Cortex
Part of the ovaries which has a loose connective tissue and blood vessels
Medulla
T or F: There is a distinct border between the medulla and cortex of the ovaries
False
This is when:
- Primordial germ cells migrate from yolk sac to the gonadal primordia
- Undergoes mitotic division to form oogonia
1st month
This is when:
- First meiotic division
- Apoptotic cell death
- Meiotic arrest
11 - 12 weeks AOG ( 3 - 4 months)
In the 11th and 12th week of the early development, what is produced?
Primary oocytes
When does the first meiotic division occur?
11 - 12 weeks of early development
What surrounds the primary oocytes?
Flat cells called follicular cells
These are surrounded by flat cells called follicular cells
Primary oocytes
How many follicular cells are there at birth?
680,000
The follicular cells at birth are called what?
Ovarian reserve
How many follicular cells are there during puberty?
460,000 oocytes
How many follicular cells are there after 30 - 35 years?
450 oocytes
The follicular cells are known to have atresia when?
During menopause
Refers to oocyte + one or more layers of
follicular cells within a basal lamina
Ovarian follicle
When are primordial follicles formed?
During fetal life
Primordial follicles are found where?
Superficial ovarian cortex
Size of primary oocyte
25 um
Shape of primary oocyte
Spherical
These are:
o Spherical, 25 μm
o Large nucleus – chromosomes in the 1st meiotic prophase
o organelles tend to be concentrated near the nucleus
o numerous mitochondria
o several Golgi complexes
Primary oocyte
Has a single layer of flattened follicular cells
Primary oocyte
Follicular growth and development begins when?
At puberty
o Growth of oocyte (120 μm)
o follicular proliferation
o stromal fibroblasts differentiation
Are caused by which hormone?
Follicles-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Which gland releases FSH?
Pituitary gland
Size of growth of oocyte due to FSH
120 um
Types of primary follicles
Unilaminar PF and Multilaminar PF
Type of primary follicle which has:
o Stratified cuboidal epithelium
o Granulosa cells
o Avascular and surrounded by basement membrane
Multilaminar PF
Type of primary follicle which has:
o Simple cuboidal epithelium
Unilaminar PF
T or F: Multilaminar PF has blood vessels
False
T of F: Unilaminar PF has zona pellucida
True
This is:
- Between oocyte and first layer of granulosa cells
- A glycoprotein layer contains important sperm receptors ZP3 and ZP4 (binds sperm surface and induce acrosomal activation)
Zona pellucida
These cells are found outside each growing follicle differentiate and form follicular theca.
Primary Follicles
Stromal cells of growing follicles differentiate into?
Theca interna and Theca externa
Differentiation of stromal cells
o Well vascularized, steroid producing cells
o Secretes Androstenedione (estrogen precursor)
Theca interna
Differentiation of stromal cells
o Has fibroblasts and smooth muscles
Theca externa
Primary Follicle
What secretes androstenedione?
Theca interna
Estrogen precursor
Androstenedione
Familiarize the mechanism of androstenedione conversion
→ the luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the conversion of cholesterol into androstenedione within the theca layer
→ androstenedione crosses the basement membrane and enters the granulosa cell layer of the follicle to be converted into estradiol with the help of FSH
→ it then enters the systemic circulation to finally be converted into estrogen
In this part of antral follicle wall, cells appearing vacuolated and lightly stained because of their cytoplasmic lipid droplets producing cells
Theca interna
The cells of this type of follicle secrete clear follicular fluid (liquor folliculi). There are small spaces that appear between granulosa layers.
Antral Follicles
These are small fluid-filled spaces that fuse forming a cavity
Antrum
Familiarize the components of the follicular fluid
Hyaluronic acid
Growth factors
Plasminogen
Fibrinogen
Heparin sulfate proteoglycan
High concentration of steroids (progesterone, androstenedione, and estrogen)
When atrum develops, it will contain which two structures?
Cumulus oophorus and corona radiata
Development of antrum; refers to which granulosa cells around the oocyte will form a hillock
Cumulus oophorus
Development of antrum; refers to which tightly adhering granulosa cells that immediately surround the zona pellucida
Corona radiata
Refers to:
- Preovulatory follicle
- Contains a single large antrum
- Average of 2cm
- Forms a bulge at the ovarian surface
- Granulosa layer becomes thinner
Graafian / Mature Follicles
Average size of mature follicles
2 cm
Refers to:
- Degenerative process
- Follicular cells and oocytes die undergo
phagocytosis - Apoptosis
Follicular Atresia
Refers to:
o Detachment of granulosa cells
o Autolysis of oocyte
o Collapse of zona pellucid
Apoptosis
Apoptosis in follicles is referred to as what?
Follicular atresia
Refer to:
- Reorganized ovulated follicle under LH
- Collapse and folding of the granulosa and thecal layers
- Temporary endocrine gland
Corpus luteum
This hormone is very important as support during pregnancy
Estrogen
Before the development of the placenta, this structure holds the developing fetus
Corpus luteum
Cells that corpus luteum contains
Granulosa lutein cells and Theca lutein cells
Cell responsible for aromatase conversion of androstenedione into estradiol
Granulosa lutein cells
Refer to:
o Former theca interna
o Aggragated in the folds of the wall of corpus luteum
o progesterone & androstenedione
Theca lutein cells
Corpus Luteum
Refer to:
large pale staining cells
Major hormone produced: progesterone
Granulosa lutein cells
Corpus Luteum
Refer to:
small dark staining cells
Produces progesterone & androstenedione
Theca lutein cells
Refer to:
- Without pregnancy and absence of stimulation
- Forms at the site of a corpus luteum after its involution
- Contains mostly collagen, few fibroblasts
- Scar of connective tissue
Corpus albicans
Major regions of the uterus
Fundus
Corpus/Body
Isthmus
Cervix
Major region of uterus:
- Rounded upper end of the body
- Where oviducts join
Fundus
Major region of uterus:
- Expanded upper portion; bulk
Corpus/Body
Major region of uterus:
- Slightly constricted portion below the
corpus
Isthmus
Major region of uterus:
- Cylindrical lower part
Cervix
Uterus is lined by outer connective tissue called?
Perimetrium
Layer of uterus which refers to:
o Outer connective tissue layer
o Continuous with ligaments
o Adventitial in some areas
o Largely serosa covered by mesothelium
Perimetrium
Layer of uterus which refers to:
o Thickest, highly vascularized
o Bundles of smooth muscles (inner circular and outer longitudinal layer)
o Connective with venous plexuses and lymphatic vessels
Myometrium
Layer of uterus which refers to:
During pregnancy it has
o Period of extensive growth
o Hyperplasia, hypertrophy and increased
collagen production
Myometrium
When does myometrium have the ff?
o Period of extensive growth
o Hyperplasia, hypertrophy and increased
collagen production
During pregnancy
Layer of uterus which refers to:
o LE: Simple columnar epithelium
* Ciliated cells
* Secretory cells (lines the uterine glands)
o LP: type III collagen, fibroblasts
Endometrium
LE of endometrium of uterus
Simple columnar epithelium with:
* Ciliated cells
* Secretory cells (lines the uterine glands)
LP of endometrium of uterus
Type III collagen, fibroblasts
Two layers of the endometrium of uterus
Basal layer
Functional layer
Layer of the endometrium of the uterus which refers to:
o Directly attached to myometrium
o Highly cellular; collagen III
o Deep basal ends of uterine glands
Basal layer
Layer of the endometrium of the uterus which refers to:
o Spongier LP, richer ground substance, mostly uterine
o Undergoes profound changes during menstrual cycles
Functional layer
Layer of the endometrium of the uterus which has the most uterine gland
Functional layer
Layer of the endometrium of the uterus which responds to the most hormones
Functional layer
“Myo” means?
Muscles
What is superficial between the two layers of the endometrium of the uterus?
Functional layer is superficial to the basal layer
Layer of the uterus which its underlying stroma has an extensive microvasculature, much ground substance, and fibroblastic cells with large, active nuclei
Endometrium
T or F: Blood vessels in the perimetrium have special significance in the periodic sloughing of the functional layer during menses.
False (BV in endometrium)
Which layer of the uterus has straight arteries that supplies only the basal layer?
Myometrium
These arteries are:
- Long progesterone-sensitive
- Brings blood to the functional layer of the endometrium
Spiral arteries aka arcuate arteries in the myometrium
T or F: The functional layer of the endometrium supplies blood to the basal layer of the endometrium
False (baliktad teh)
GnRH is released from where?
Hypothalamus
Which gland releases LH and FSH?
Pituitary gland
LH and FSH will stimulate which organ to release estrogen and progesterone?
Ovary
Progesterone will respond to which organ?
Uterus
First drop of blood constitutes first day of which activity in the menstrual cycle?
Bleeding
The menstrual cycle lasts how many days?
3 - 4 days
The proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle lasts how many days?
8 - 10 days
The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle begins when?
At ovulation, about 14 days
The menstrual phase is the shedding of part of mucosa how many days after ovulation?
14 days
Menstrual cycle which refers to:
Shedding of a part of the mucosa 14 days after ovulation
The corpus luteum regresses
A decrease in estrogen and progesterone
Menstrual period
Menstrual cycle which refers to:
Follicular or estrogenic phase
FSH stimulated rapid follicle growth
The dominant follicle reaches the preovulatory stage
The endometrium: simple columnar, straight tubular glands, empty lumens, and lengthened spiral arteries
Proliferative phase
Menstrual cycle which refers to:
After ovulation
Peak of LH: induces ovulation, development of corpus luteum
Epithelial cells secrete glycogen, glands coil
Microvasculature thin-walled, blood-filled
Secretory phase
These cells secrete glycogen during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle
Epithelial cells
Successful pregnancy needs which two conditions?
- Endometrium must be thick
- Egg must be mature
During this phase of the menstrual cycle, the functional layer of the endometrium is still relatively thin, the stroma is more cellular, and the glands are relatively straight, narrow, and empty
Proliferative phase
Menstrual cycle which refers to:
- Functional layer is less heavily cellular and perhaps four times thicker than the basal layer.
- tubular glands have wider lumens containing secretory product and coil tightly up through the stroma
- Superficially in the functional layer, lacunae are widespread and filled with blood.
Secretory phase
Menstrual cycle which refers to:
- constriction of the spiral arteries, which produces hypoxia that causes swelling and dissolution of the glands.
- The stroma of the peripheral functionalis is more compact and near the basal layer typically appears more sponge-like
Premenstrual phase
Refer to:
- folded mucosa
- well-defined muscularis with interwoven circular and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle
- thin serosa covered by visceral peritoneum
Fallopian tube
This part of the fallopian tube is highly folded into lumen
Mucosa
LE of fallopian tube
Simple columnar epithelium with:
* Non-ciliated secretory Peg cells (secrete
glycoproteins)
* Ciliated cells (sweep fluid towards the
uterus)
These cells in the LE of fallopian tube secretes glycoproteins
Peg cells
These secreted by peg cells nourish the egg
Glycoproteins
These cells in the LE of fallopian tube sweep fluid towards the uterus
Ciliated cells
LP of fallopian tube
o Loose connective tissue
o Richly cellular: lymphocytes, monocytes, mast cells, reticular fibers
Layers of fallopian tube
Mucosa, Muscularis, Serosa
Layer of fallopian tube
o Thick
o Well-defined
o Circular and longitudinal layers
Muscularis
Layer of fallopian tube
o Thin
o Mesothelium
Serosa
Two parts of the cervix
Endocervix and Exocervix
Other name for exocervix
Portio vaginalis
LE of endocervix
Simple columnar
LP of endocervix
large branched mucus-secreting cervical
gland
These are found in the endocervix; defined as branching folds in the mucosa
Plicae palmitae
LE of exocervix
Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
Refers to the the junction between the columnar epithelium and the SSNKE covering the exocervix and vagina
Squamo-columnar junction or the transformational zone
Layers of vagina
Mucosa
Muscular layer
Adventitia
LE of mucosa of vagina
Stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium
Found in LP of mucosa of vagina
elastic fibers, lymphocytes, neutrophils
Layer of vagina which refers to:
→ the mucus is from the cervix and greater vestibular glands
→ is stimulated by estrogen (moisture response) as epithelial cells synthesize glycogen to maintain the proper environment
→ the bacteria metabolize glycogen to lactic acid
→ has low pH
Mucosa
Layer of vagina which refers to:
Two indistinct layers of inner circular and outer longitud
Muscularis layer
Layer of vagina which refers to:
o Dense connective tissue and plenty of elastic fibers
o Venous plexus, lymphatic vessels and nerves
Adventitia
