female reproductive Flashcards
FUNTIONS of female reproductive system
- Production of female gametes (ova) by
process of oogenesis - Reception of male gametes, spermatozoa
- suitable environment for
fertilization - Provision of an environment for
development of fetus
*delivering a baby - Nutrition of newborn
BROAD LIGAMENT contains
Mesometrium
* The mesentery of the uterus; the
largest portion of the broad ligament
Mesosalpinx
* The mesentery of the fallopian tube
Mesovarium
* The mesentery of the ovaries
MICROANATOMY
OF THE OVARIES
- Ovarian blood vessels are housed in the suspensory ligament
- Flat, ovoid shape- Simple cuboidal
- Beneath epithelium is Tunica albuginea – a fibrous tissue but not a distinct capsule and under that is the ovarian stroma aka cortex
- Cortex (stroma)– peripheral zone
- Whorled pattern
- Spindle shaped cells + smooth muscles
- Lipid droplets
- Fine collagen fiber + ground substance
- consist of Tunica albuginea – fibrous superficial cortex
- filled with Ovarian follicles containing gametes at various stages of development
- consist of Post-ovulatory structures like
Corpus luteum and Corpus albicans - Medulla – central zone
- houses Blood vessels + nerves
- Contains Hilus cells (comparable to Leydig
cells) - Blood vessels being Ovarian artery + ovarian branches of uterine artery
STAGES OF
FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT
- Oogonium (germ cell)
- Primary oocyte in Primordial follicles
- Primary follicle
- Secondary follicle
- Graafian follicle – containing secondary
oocyte
Ovulation
LUTEINIZATION
- Regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH).
- Luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary gland convert the follicle remnants to an endocrine structure, the CORPUS LUTEUM.
- Granulosa cells become Granulosa lutein cells (GLC) - Secrete progesterone to prep the endometrium. They are large cells with Eosinophilic cytoplasm and lipid droplets derived from granulosa cells
- Theca interna cells become Theca lutein cells (TLC)- Secrete estrogen to maintain thickness of uterine mucosa. They are small cells with dense cytoplasm, ,oval nuc derived from internal cells
what happens in the CORPUS LUTEUM if youre pregnant vs not pregnant
Pregnant
-endocrine structure until 3rd month of pregnancy
-regulated by HCG secreted by placenta
The placenta is a large corpus luteum which has hyaline eosinophilic bodies which get bigger and calcify as pregnancy progresses. The corpus luteum deteriorates in 2nd trimester
If not pregnant
- corpus leteum will disintegrate
-the lutein cells - TLC and GLC will no longer secrete Est and Progest
CORPUS ALBICANS what is it
- Inactive fibrous tissue mass
- formed after corpus luteum
- The degenerate cells of corpus luteum
undergo autolysis and phagocytosed by
macrophages - Increases in number with age. Regression
occurs without a trace.
FEMALE GENITAL TRACT
- Cyclical changes under hormonal influence
- Basic structure:
- Wall – smooth muscles (spiral arrangement)
- Inner – mucosal lining
- Outer- LOCT (serous lining)
ANATOMY OF THE
FALLOPIAN TUBE (OVIDUCT)
- Carry ova from surface of ovaries- long tubes on either end
- Site of tubal ligation
- 4 anatomical divisions:
- Infundibulum - funnel shaped; surrounds the ovary; has fringelike projections called fimbriae
- Ampulla - dilated middle part; fertilization occurs here
- Isthmus - smallest diameter; secretory function
- Interstitial - connects fallopian tube with the uterus
CELL TYPES IN THE
FALLOPIAN TUBE
- Ciliated cells -Propulsion
- Non-ciliated cells - Secretory
- Intercalated cells - Secretory
2 Epithelial tissue morphology:
* Simple columnar with cilia
* Simple columnar with microvilli
- Lamina propria – DICT
- Smooth muscular wall – Inner circular, outer longitudinal
- Serosa - LOCT
ANATOMY OF THE UTERUS
- Hollow muscular organ
- Receives a fertilized egg, Retains and Nourishes the fertilized egg
Blood supply:
* Uterine arteries
* Iliac arteries
* Ovarian arteries
* Vaginal arteries
Regions of the uterus:
* Cervix – narrow part that “communicates” with vagina
* Body – major part
* Fundus – above the uterine tube entrance
UTERINE WALL contains
Endometrium
* Inner layer
* egg implantation and fetal development
* Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses)
Myometrium
* Middle layer of smooth muscle
*protection for the fetus;
* Expulsion of the fetus
- Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)
- Outermost serous layer of the uterus
- Mesothelium; single layer of elastic tissue
Menstrual cycle
Day 1-4 Menstrual phase- LH inhibited, no fertilization, uterine wall shedding
Day 5-14 Proliferative phase - FSH, vessels and glands form in the endometrium
Day 14 Ovulation - Mature egg in fallopian tube, uterine wall thickens
Day 15-28 Secretory phase - no fertilization, hormones inhibited and endometrial wall breaks
ENDOMETRIUM
- Epithelium
- Simple columnar with cilia
*Pseudostratified columnar with cilia - Simple cuboidal with microvilli
Three Histological Layers
* Stratum compactum – innermost layer; always changing
* Stratum spongiosum – LOCT and glands
* Stratum basale – made of DICT attaching to myometrium
* Stratum functionalis - compactum
+ spongiosum that get sloughed off during menstruation and childbirth
Stroma * Cells have spindle -shaped nuclei
and scanty cytoplasm; presence of mitotic figures
EARLY PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
LATE PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
EARLY PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
* Height of Functionalis: thinnest
* Glands: straight and inactive
* Stroma features: unremarkable
LATE PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
* Height of Functionalis : Very thick
* Glands : Many mitotic figures; disorderly nuclei
* Stroma features: edematous
* Presence of Stratum Basale
EARLY SECRETORY PHASE
MID-SECRETORY PHASE
LATE SECRETORY PHASE
EARLY SECRETORY PHASE
* Height of Functionalis: thinner than
later proliferative phase
* Glands: corkscrew shaped glands; central
nuclei, glycogen at base of cells
* Stroma features: edema subsides
MID-SECRETORY PHASE
* Height of Functionalis: Very thick
* Glands: Very wide and tortuous;
filled with secretion in lumina (cellular
debris & glycogen); nuclei are pyknotic
* Stroma features: edema inside of
stromal cells containing vacuoles
LATE SECRETORY PHASE
* Height of Functionalis: Shrinkage
* Glands: Full of secretion
* Epithelium: low columnar to cuboidal; nuclei are pyknotic
* Stroma features: RBCs pool, ↑ WBCs,
edema resorbed
MENSTRUAL PHASE
- Height of Functionalis: In 2-3 days, non-existent
- Glands: Slough off, desquamation
- Stroma features: slough off, desquamation
- Other features: Stratum basale
undisturbed
MYOMETRIUM
- 3 non-distinct layers of smooth muscles -
for strength (transverse, longitudinal,
oblique) - Undergoes hyperplasia (increase in cell
size) and hypertrophy (increase in cell
numbers) - elastic fibers + connective tissue components (DICT)
Has Vascular tissue layer:
* Stratum vasculare – straight and spiral arteries are located.
* Helicine arteries - undergo ischemia during menstruation
PERIMETRIUM
- Parietal peritoneum covers most uterus
except cervix - Morphology: LOCT
CERVIX
- Protrudes into the upper vagina
- leads spermatozoa to the genital tract during ovulation
- Protects the uterus and upper genital tract from bacterial invasion
- Passageway for fetus during parturition.
Consists of
Endocervix
* Continuous with the uterus
* Simple columnar
- Ectocervix
- Exposed to hostile environment
SSNK 3 zones: - Basal zone
- Mid zone
- Superficial zone
Squamocolumnar junction(J)
* Between ectocervix and endocervical epithelium
* Diagnostic site; pap smear samples are taken from here
NABOTHIAN FOLLICLES
OR CYSTS
- Cysts filled with mucus that look like tiny
bumps on the surface of the cervix. - Occur when new tissue regrows on the cervix after childbirth and blocks the openings of the cervix’s Nabothian glands, trapping their mucous secretion in
tiny pockets under the epithelium.
ANATOMY OF VAGINA
- Extends from cervix to exterior of body
- Receives the penis during sexual
intercourse - Serves as the birth canal
- Hymen – partially closes the vagina until
it is ruptured
Consists of
* Mucosa: epithelium (SSNK) and elastic lamina propria
* Muscularis: 2 layers of NSIM; exterior
(some SVM)
* Adventitia: thin layer of elastin fibers
* Bartholin’s glands – provides lubrication to the vagina. Also lubricated by the cervical glands.
* Superficial cells produce glycogen
MAMMARY GLANDS
- Present in both sexes, only functional in
females - Modified sweat glands
- produce milk
- Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly
estrogens) to increase in size
Areola - Central pigmented area (melanin)
Nipple - Protruding area of areola- SSK, smooth muscle. containing the lactiferous sinus.
Lobes - Internal structures that radiate around nipple
Lobules - clusters of tubuloacinar glands (inactive) or tubuloalveolar glands
(active)
Alveolar glands Produce milk when lactating
Lactiferous ducts- Connect acini glands to nipple - Lined by stratified cuboidal or stratified columnar
PHASES OF BREAST TISSUE
INACTIVE/RESTING BREAST
ACTIVE/LACTATING
BREAST
INACTIVE/RESTING BREAST
* Glandular morphology: Compound tubuloacinar - Lined by simple cuboidal
(with myoepithelial cells)
* Lobules are far apart
* Fewer intralobular and interlobular ducts that drain into lactiferous ducts
ACTIVE/LACTATING BREAST
* Glandular morphology: Compound
tubuloalveolar with secretory acini
* Thick walls of interlobular,
intralobular ducts → lactiferous ducts
* Overcrowding (lobular hypertrophy) of the
glands
* Proliferation of septae
PLACENTA
- fetus (chorion) plus maternal uterine mucosal layers (the decidua)
- Forms in the uterus after fertilization has
occurred; linked to fetus via the umbilical cord
Physiological exchange between the fetal
and maternal circulations
* Exchange of respiratory gases
* Provides nutrients for and removes wastes
* Secretes hormones
* Transports macromolecules (viruses, IgG, alcohol)
CHORION
Fetal placenta
* Forms within 23 days following ovulation
- Composition:
- Connective tissue with two cell layers derived from trophoblast:
1. Cytotrophoblast – inner larger cuboidal shaped cells
2. Syncytiotrophoblast – outer dark layer of cells covering the chorionic villi. Secretes hcG hormone - Lacunae – spaces filled with maternal blood from spiral arteries, later called intervillous spaces
- Chorionic villi – protrudes into the intervillous space increasing surface area of the placenta that is exposed to maternal blood
Placental blood barrier
* Oxygen and nutrient exchange from maternal to fetal
DECIDUA
Maternal placenta
* endometrial stroma cells that turn into decidual cells ~ day 24 of menstruation
* Provide nourishment to embryo
Cotyledons on the placenta surface
* Lobular structures on the surface of the maternal placenta - up to 35 lobes are present
* Transmit fetal blood; exchange of oxygen and nutrients with maternal blood
* Malformations of these cotyledons are indicative of fetal abnormalities
PLACENTAL CIRCULATION
Maternal
* Spiral arteries
* Supply blood into the intervillous spaces
Fetal
* Umbilical arteries
* Two travel from the fetus through the
umbilical cord to the placenta
* Carries blood that is low in oxygen and nutrient content
* Umbilical vein
* Single vein returns oxygen rich, nutrient rich blood to the fetus
UMBILICAL CORD
- Transfer of oxygen and nutrients from the
maternal circulation into fetal circulation - contained in Wharton’s jelly (mucous CT)
- has two umbilical arteries and one
umbilical vein - Umbilical arteries transport deoxygenated fetal blood to the placenta
- Umbilical vein transports oxygenated blood back to the fetus
