Female Repro Microanatomy Flashcards
what are the ovaries?
female gonads + glands responsible for oogenesis and steroidogenesis
what is oogenesis?
oocyte formation (exocrine function)
what is steroidogenesis?
production and release of sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone)
describe the microstructure of the ovaries
1) cortex –> CT, germ and somatic cells
2) medulla –> CT, nerve and blood vessels
3) surface (germinal) epithelium –> mesothelium
4) hilum
what is folliculogenesis
maturation process of ovarian follicles which ends with ovulation and corpus luteum formation
what makes up the preantral follicle
primordial follicle
primary follicle
secondary follicle
what makes up the antral follicle
tertiary (dominant) follicle
atretic (subordinate) follicle
describe the primordial follicle
formed during prenatal development
resting population of cells is maintained by mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS)
describe the primary follicle
recruited follicles as result of activation induced by activin-a secreted by granulosa cells
describe the secondary follicle
dependence from FSH to LH will result in the eventual selection of dominant follicles
describe the tertiary follicle
-results from selection
-dominant follicles is dependent on LH that secrete inhibine to reduce FSH secretion
-still FSH-dependent follicles become subordinate and undergo atresia
-antrum is specially notable in dominant follicles
what is ovulation
process of follicle rupture to expel the oocyte as a result of the preovulatory surge of LH
follicular wall breaks
oocyte is expelled
oocyte completes meiosis 1
what makes up the myometrium?
externa –> interna
longitudinal muscle –> CT –> circular muscle
what makes up the endometrium?
CT (lamina propria) –> epithelium
what is the mesometrium?
broad ligament
