Female Reproduction

Question 1

Functions of the female reproductive tract (5)

Answer 1

1. Production of ova by oogenesis
2. Transport of ova and introduced spermatozoa to facilitate fertilization
3. Maintenance of embryo during development
4. Expulsion of mature fetus (birth)
5. Nutrition of neonate

Question 2

What is the female reproductive system composed of?

Answer 2

gonads (ovaries), ducts, and external genitalia. Mammary glands are usually also included.

Question 3

What covers the ovary

Answer 3

a layer of cuboidal cells (germinal epithelium) on very outside

Question 4

What underlies the germinal layer of the ovary?

Answer 4

poorly delineated layer of dense CT

TUNICA ALBUGINEA

Question 5

The ovary is divided into these two sections. What do they contain?

Answer 5

Divided into outer cortex (contains follicles) and inner medulla (loose fibroelastic CT with blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves; continuous with mesovarium at hilum)

Question 6

Ovarian follicle components

Answer 6

ovum and associated epithelial cells

Question 7

Primordial follicles

Answer 7

located on periphery of cortex; contains primary oocyte in resting state surrounded by a single layer of flattened epithelial cells (granulosa cells)

Question 8

What triggers primordial follicles to become primary follicles?

Answer 8

cyclic FSH secretion from anterior pituitary stimulates follicle development

Question 9

What are the features of primary follicle development?

Answer 9

follicle epithelial cells grow and proliferate

oocyte enlarges

stromal cells become organized into CT sheath

get formation of zona pellucida directly surrounding
oocyte (glycoprotein membrane)

Question 10

Development of the secondary follicle includes what features?

Answer 10

formation of antrum (space filled with liquor folliculi - hyaluronic acid)

CT sheath differentiates into inner theca interna and outer theca externa

oocyte supported within antrum by stalk of granulosa cells (cumulus oophorus)

Question 11

What fills the antrum?

Answer 11

fluid filled space

liquor folliculi- hyaluronic acid

Question 12

Secondary follicle CT sheath layers.

Answer 12

theca interna

theca externa

Question 13

name of the stalk of granulosa cells that support the oocyte in a secondary follicle

Answer 13

cumulus oophorus

Question 14

Features of a graafian follicle

Answer 14

continued growth and development of follicle; theca interna and tunica albuginea decrease at surface; ovum surrounded by thick zona pellucida + layer of granulosa cells (corona radiata)

Question 15

What is the corona radiata?

Answer 15

layer of granulosa cells that surrounds the oocyte in a graafian follicle

shed with the oocyte at ovulation

Question 16

What triggers ovulation and what are the features?

Answer 16

LH surge from anterior pituitary causes increased liquid secretion by granulosa cells which leads to rupture of the follicle and release of the egg into the coelom

Question 17

How does the corpus luteum form? What does it do? When does it regress?

Answer 17

formed from ruptured follicle cells, becomes glandular

Granulosa cells hypertrophy as do theca interna cells

Release progesterone and estrogen

Regresses after designated time (14 days in human) unless pregnancy occurs

Question 18

Describe the uterine tube in general.

Answer 18

Fallopian tube, Oviduct

Function is to transport egg to uterus, fertilization occurs here

Consists of four regions: infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and intramural portion

Question 19

Infundibulum of the uterine tube

Answer 19

funnel-shaped opening of oviduct to coelom, fingerlike extensions (fimbrae) extend from margins

Question 20

Ampulla of the uterine tube

Answer 20

= expanded intermediate segment, makes up 2/3 of total oviduct length, thin-walled with a highly folded mucosal epithelium

Question 21

Isthmus of the uterine tube

Answer 21

= thicker-walled region posterior to ampulla, makes up about 1/3 of total oviduct length

Question 22

Intramural portion of the uterine tube

Answer 22

continuation of canal through uterine wall

Question 23

Cross-sectional layers of the uterine tube (just name them)

Answer 23

mucosa
muscularis
serosa

Question 24

Mucosa of the uterine tube

Answer 24

lined by a ciliated simple columnar epithelium with some nonciliated secretory cells

longitudinal folds (plicae) are present

possesses a delicate vascular lamina propria

Question 25

muscularis of the uterine tube

Answer 25

broad inner circular and narrow outer longitudinal layers are poorly differentiated Responsible for peristaltic movement of egg down tube; also help move sperm up tube for fertilization

Question 26

serosa of the uterine tube

Answer 26

areolar CT covered by a mesothelium lots of blood flow

Question 27

Describe the uterus and its cross-sectional layers

Answer 27

Functions in implantation and nourishment of embryo during development Cross-section through wall reveals: Mucosa (endometrium) Muscularis (myometrium) Serosa (perimetrium)

Question 28

What is the uterine endometrium?

Answer 28

``` Simple columnar lining simple tubular endometrial glands endometrial stroma (lamina propria); very thick layer ```

Question 29

What occurs during the proliferative (follicular) phase?

Answer 29

mucosal thickness increases as epithelial cells proliferate under the influence of estrogen (from follicle) glands lengthen and become packed arteries grow into expanding lamina propria (about 9 days in duration) Ovulation marks end of this phase

Question 30

What occurs during the secretory (progestational, luteal) phase?

Answer 30

Corpus luteum secretes progesterone (duration is about 13 days) Endometrium increases in thickness due to hypertrophy of gland cells, glands secrete heavily Endometrium consists of basal and functional layers (lower and upper, respectively)

Question 31

What happens during the ischemic phase?

Answer 31

endometrial functional layer undergoes periods of hypoxia (low oxygen) due to intermittent constriction of arteries associated with involution of corpus luteum (duration is about 1 day)

Question 32

What happens during the menstrual phase?

Answer 32

functional layer undergoes degeneration and is shed (duration is about 4-5 days)

Question 33

Describe the myometrium muscle layers

Answer 33

thick coat of smooth muscle, consists of 3 ill-defined layers: Thin inner longitudinal Thick middle circular Thin outer longitudinal/oblique Muscle fibers increase in size during pregnancy

Question 34

What is the perimetrium?

Answer 34

thin layer of areolar CT on outside of myometrium, lined by a mesothelium

Question 35

What is the maternal component of the placenta?

Answer 35

= Decidua endometrium opposite placenta, becomes eroded forming intervillous space full of maternal blood.

Question 36

What is the fetal component of the placenta?

Answer 36

composed of chorion (extraembryonic membrane), villi extend into endometrium where they become closely opposed to maternal blood spaces.

Question 37

Anchoring villi

Answer 37

chorionic villi anchored to decidua (maternal component)

Question 38

free villi

Answer 38

don't reach surface of decidua

Question 39

hofbauer's cells

Answer 39

tissue macrophages (large cells with spherical nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm) found in the placental villi

Question 40

Placental villi components

Answer 40

they have a CT core containing capillaries and hofbauer's cells; lined by trophoblasts

Question 41

trophoblast epithelium (general)

Answer 41

Trophoblast epithelium covers each villus, consists of two layers until about week 10 of pregnancy when it is reduced to one (Syncitial trophoblast)

Question 42

Cytotrophoblasts

Answer 42

inner cell layer, pale cells with discrete borders; disappears after about week 10

Question 43

Syncitial trophoblasts (what hormone do they secrete??)

Answer 43

= outer layer containing numerous small dark nuclei, no apparent intercellular boundaries Secretes hCG – maintains corpus luteum in a secretory state (continues to produce progesterone)

Question 44

Describe the uterine cervix.

Answer 44

Lowest segment of uterus Lined by simple columnar mucus-secreting epithelium Mucosa of lower 2/3 forms complex furrows (plicae palmatae) Relatively little smooth muscle in muscularis Lamina propria is thick, composed of dense irregular CT with numerous collagen fibers Mucosa is not shed at menstruation At extreme lower end (junction with vagina) the mucosal epithelium becomes nonkeratinizing stratified squamous

Question 45

Plicae palmatae

Answer 45

cervix: Mucosa of lower 2/3 forms complex furrows

Question 46

Describe the vagina.

Answer 46

Somewhat flattened tube extending from uterine cervix to external genitalia Mucosal lining = relatively thick stratified squamous nonkeratinizing, cells packed with glycogen so appear vacuolated Epithelial surface lubricated by mucus from cervix Lamina propria composed of dense irregular CT Mucosa with transverse folds = rugae Muscularis with smooth muscle bundles in thin inner circular and thicker outer longitudinal layers (poorly defined) Adventitia = dense irregular CT, binds with urethra and other organs

Question 47

Describe mammary glands (what type of gland, how many, general duct system setup, development)

Answer 47

Modified sweat glands in subcutaneous tissue Each gland is a composite of 15-20 individual compound alveolar glands, each of which opens to the nipple via a lactiferous duct A lactiferous sinus present at the apex of the nipple is formed as a junction of lactiferous ducts External development occurs at puberty due to accumulation of adipose and CT. Secretory alveoli do not develop until pregnancy, so resting gland is essentially just a system of ducts + a CT stroma Nipple and areola (surrounding nipple) are covered by a pigmented keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that is rich in sensory receptors

Question 48

Describe the lactating breast and how it forms during pregnancy.

Answer 48

During pregnancy, under the influence of estrogen, progesterone and lactogenic hormones (prolactin) the mammary gland undergoes a proliferative response = increase in duct system and development of secretory alveoli During second half of pregnancy, glandular hyperplasia slows, but alveoli enlarge Prior to birth, alveoli secrete colostrum = serous, protein-containing fluid (lactose, antibodies, etc.) Soon after birth, active milk secretion commences. Some alveoli become dilated or distended with milk, others remain in resting condition (low vs. tall epithelial lining, respectively) Secretion of milk from secretory cells is partly merocrine, partly apocrine (proteins = merocrine, lipids = apocrine) Between secretory alveolar cells and basal lamina are myoepithelial cells, involved in ejecting milk from alveoli into ducts.