Female Reproductive Histology

Question 1

What is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 1

Several ovarian follicles undergo folliculogenesis in preparation for ovulation

Question 2

What is the uterine cycle?

Answer 2

Concurrent cycle, where the endometrium, prepares for implantation

Question 3

What type of tissue is in the ovary?

Answer 3

Ovarian surface epithelium

Simple cuboidal cells which become granulosa cells and stromal cells –> comprise the growing follicles

Question 4

What are the three main ovarian cell types?

Answer 4

Mullerian epithelium

Germ cells

Sex cord-stromal cells

Question 5

Name the defining features for each stage of a follicle

Answer 5

Primordial follicle-Simple squamous layer

Primary follicle-Simple cuboidal layer

Primary follicle (late)-Zona pellucida, granulosa cells, theca interna

Secondary follicle-Has theca interna and externa. Small spaces between granulosa layers. Antrum

Mature follicle-Has a cumulus oophorous

Question 6

How do you tell theca interna and externa apart?

Answer 6

Theca interna- vascularized cell, produces androstenedione –> estradiol. Visible droplets

Theca externa- appears more fibrous

Question 7

What is follicular atresia?

Answer 7

Failure of a follicle to ovulate

Apoptosis is the mechanism which ensures regression w/o creating an inflammatory response

Glassy membrane

Question 8

What do thecal cells become after the luteal phase?

Answer 8

Mural granulosa cells –> granulosa lutein cells

Theca interna cells –> theca lutein cells

Question 9

What do granulosa lutein cells do?

Answer 9

Secrete progesterone and estrongen, w FSH and LH stimulation

Express LH receptors

Question 10

What do theca lutein cells do?

Answer 10

Produce androstenedione and progesterone w/ LH stimulation

Question 11

Where are ciliated cells and secretory peg cells located and what do they do?

Answer 11

Wall of the oviduct

sensitive to estrogen signaling, increase in size

Question 12

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Answer 12

Egg placement in the uterine tube

Normally there is a smooth muscle layer that causes peristaltic contraction and ciliary activity to propel hte oocyte/zygote toward uterus

Question 13

What are the layers of the uterine wall?

Answer 13

Endometrium

Myometrium

Perimetrium

Question 14

Describe the endometrium of the uterine wall

Answer 14

Epithelium

Functional Layer-lost during menstruation

Basal Layer-retained during menstruation

Question 15

Describe the myometrium layer of the uterine wall?

Answer 15

Central layer-stratum vasculare

Outer and inner layers have obliquely arranged fibers

Question 16

Describe the endometrium vasculature

Answer 16

Arcuate arteries supply endometrium

straight segment supplies basal layer

coiled segment supplies the functional layer

Before menstruation, contraction of the artery occurs at straight-coiled junction –> reduces blood flow which destroys functional layer

Question 17

What happens to stimulate ovulation?

Answer 17

Spike in LH and estrogen

Question 18

What happens in the secretory phase?

Answer 18

Spike in progesterone and thickening of the endometrium

Question 19

What do decidual cells do?

Answer 19

Help protect embry from attack from the mother’s immune system

Invade the uterus but also know when to stop

Question 20

What are the purpose of the crypts in the cervix?

Answer 20

Increase surface area of simple columnar cells

These crypts can become occluded and dilated forming nabothian cysts

Question 21

What is the transformation zone?

Answer 21

Abrupt epithelial transition between teh endocervix and ectocervix

Endocervix: Simple columnar

Ectocervix: Nonkeratinized stratifed squamous

Question 22

What are the layers of the vagina?

Answer 22

Mucosal layer-nonkeratinized stratified squamous

Muscularis layer-smooth muscle

Adventital layer-dense CT

*Vaginal wall lacks glands*