Female reproductive

Question 0

Dev’t of oocytes

Answer 0

“Primordial germ cells” - migrate from yolk sac, proliferate in ovary -> 7 million “oogonia” ->
“Primary oocyte” (46x2) - arrests in prophase I until ovulation
“Secondary oocyte” (23x2) - arrests in metaphase II until ferilization
“Ovum” (23x1) only after sperm penetrates

Question 1

Gross anatomy of ovary

Answer 1

Germinal/surface epithelium - NOT germinal, cancerous - continuous with peritoneum
Tunica albuginea
Cortex - follicles, oocytes
Medulla - loose CT, vessels

Question 2

Dev’t of follicle

Answer 2

Takes 85-days total, multiple begin then compete until mature
Names do NOT correspond to oocyte
Oocyte grows in size throughout

Primordial follicle = oocyte + flat follicular
“Primary follicle” = follicular mitose -> zona pellucida + granulosum + theca
“Secondary” = antrum starts to form
Mature - secondary oocyte surrounded by zona pellucida (glycoprotein), granulosa, full antrum
-> corpus luteum -> atresia

Question 3

Hormonal control of ovulation

Answer 3

Hypothalamus -> GnRH -> FSH (ant pit) -> follicle dev’t
Follicle -> estrogen (from granulosa) -> low levels depress GnRH -> high level -> surge in FSH, LH -> ovulation
Ovulation converts follicle -> corpus luteum -> progesterone, estrogen -> uterus, depresses GnRH

Inner thecal cells -> androgen -> granulosa cells -> estrogen or progesterone

Question 4

Corpus luteum

Answer 4

Post ovulation, sustains uterine lining
“Lutein” = yellow = smooth ER = hormone production
Inner thecal cells -> androgen, progesterone
Granulosa cells -> progesterone, estrogen (requires androgen)
Degenerates to corpus albicans (white)

Question 5

Structure of mature ovarian follicle

Answer 5

Large oocyte (metaphase II)
Zona pellucida = glycoproteins
Granulosa = corona radiata + membrane, separated by antrum
Basement membrane supports granulosa
Theca - interna (-> hormones) + externa

Question 6

Histology of uterine tube

Answer 6

Structure = function
Infundibulum + fimbrae
Ampulla - highly folded - holds ovum and sperm to facilitate fertilization
Isthmus, intramural - less folded - rapid transport
Ciliated columnar epithelium
Smooth muscle for peristalsis
Peg cells -> secretions

Question 7

Phases of uterus

Answer 7

Stratum basalis is constant (straight arteries)
Proliferative (estrogen) -> mitosis of gland/epithelium + stroma -> stratum functionalis
Secretory (progesterone) -> active gland -> glycogen (clear cytoplasm)
Menstrual (low hormones) -> vasoconstriction -> necrosis -> sloughing

Question 8

Fertilization

Answer 8

Sperm enters
-> meiosis II (from metaphase)
-> cortical reaction (Ca+ mediated) -> blocks polyspermy
Initial mitosis does not grow size (still traveling)

Question 9

Implantation and placenta formation

Answer 9

Embryo invades
Syncytiotrophoblast forms villi with lacunae
- also makes HCG (lipid) during first trimester
Extraembryonic mesoderm -> vessels (2-3 trimester)
Maternal only supplies blood to lacunae
Endometrium -> decidua

Question 10

Histology of cervix

Answer 10

Endocervix = secretory mucus glands + simple columnar
Ectocervis = strat squam
Pregnancy -> ectropion - endocervix reaches out into vagina
Metaplasia - ectropion -> strat squam due to exposure (ex strat squam with glands)
Dysplasia - funny nuclei, cell types -> cancer

Question 11

Histology of vagina

Answer 11

Strat squam
Fibroelastic
Smooth muscle + skeletal muscle at some levels

Question 12

Histology of vulva

Answer 12

Labium majus - has hair follicles, adipose tissue
Labium minus - transition to non-keratinized strat squam
Clitoris - vascular erectile tissue
Bartholin’s, Skene’s glands -> mucus secretions