female reproductive histology Flashcards
what are the two coexisting events during the menstrual cycle?
the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle
what is the ovary lined by?
ovarian surface epithelium (OSE)
what is ovarian surface epithelium?
simple cuboidal epithelium; the embryonic source of granulosa cells and stromal cells
what is the overlying layer of dense connective tissue capsule of the ovary?
the tunica albuginea
how is the ovary structured?
with a peripheral cortex and a deep medulla
what is located in the cortex of the ovary?
connective tissue and ovarian follicles
what is located in the medulla of the ovary?
connective tissue and interstitial cells, neurovasculature, and lymphatics
what do the ovarian follicles contain?
a single oocyte
when do the early stages of oogenesis occur?
during fetal life
what are the oocytes that are present at birth doing?
they are remaining arrested in meiosis I (prophase I)
what occurs during folliculogenesis?
select follicles undergo cyclic growth and maturation
what are primordial follicles surrounded by?
simple squamous layer of follicular/ pregranulosa cells
what are the primary follicles surrounded by?
a simple cuboidal layer of granulosa cells
what separates the granulosa cells from the ovarian stroma?
the basal lamina
when does the zona pelucida begin to assemble and what does it separate?
it begins to assemble at the primary follicle stage and it separates the primary oocyte from the granulosa cells
what surrounded late primary follicles?
stratified granulosa cells (3-4 cells in thickness)
what begins to appear in the secondary follicles?
the granulosa cells begin to secrete a follicular fluid, forming call-exner bodies, which eventually enlarge and combine forming the antrum
during the secondary follicle stage, what do the stromal cells form?
separate thecal layers
what are the two thecal layers that the stromal cells form?
theca interna and theca externa
what epithelium makes up the theca?
stratified cuboidal epithelium
what is the theca interna?
a vascularized cell layer adjacent to the basal lamina supporting the granulosa- main role is to produce androstenedione (which can be converted into estrogen)
what is the theca externa?
a fibrous cellular layer continuous with the ovarian stroma
what do the mural granulosa cells actively synthesize and secrete?
estrogen and they produce the follicular fluid
what is the mechanism of follicular atresia?
apoptosis
what is the hallmark of an atretic follicle?
it will have a glassy membrane: thick folded basement membrane material
what does the LH surge cause?
the primary oocyte to complete meiosis I, making it a secondary oocyte (now arrested at metaphase II)
what cells are responsible for repairing the OSA damage following follicle rupture?
mural granulosa cells and the theca interna
during the luteal phase, what happens to the thecal cells?
they will differentiate to form the corpus luteum
during the luteal phase, what do the mural granulosa cells become?
granulosa lutein cells
during the luteal phase, what do the theca interna cells become?
theca lutein cells
what do granulosa lutein cells secrete?
progesterone and estrogen with FSH and LH stimulation
what do the theca lutein cells produce?
androstenedione and progesterone with LH stimulation
if fertilization does occur what happens to the corpus luteum, and what is controlling this?
the corpus luteum will continue to produce progesterone and estrogen; it is under stimulatory action of hCG from the trophoblastic layer until the placenta takes over
what happens to the corpus luteum if fertilization does not occur?
the CL begins involution around 14 days after ovulation
what is luteolysis?
the regression of the CL
what does luteolysis lead to?
the formation of the corpus albicans (a scar of connective tissue- type I collagen with a few fibroblasts)
does the corpus luteum undergo apoptosis like follicular atresia?
no
what is the composition of the mucosal layer of the uterine tubes?
simple columnar epithelia with lamina propria of loose CT
what else is found within the mucosal layer of the uterine tubes?
ciliated cells with secretory peg cells
what are the secretory peg cells sensitive to?
estrogen signaling
what is the makeup of the muscular layer of the uterine tubes?
inner-circular-spiral layer and an outer longitudinal layer
what is the action of the smooth muscular layer of the uterine tubes?
peristaltic contractions and ciliary activity- propels the oocyte/zygote towards the uterus
what is found within the serosal layer of the uterine tubes?
large blood vessels
where are the mucosal folds greater in the uterine tubes?
in areas such as the ampulla- not so much in the isthmus of the uterine tubes
what are the layers of the uterus?
perimetrium, myometrium, and the endometrium
what is the epithelium of the endometrium of the uterus?
simple columnar with simple tubular glands
what are the two layers of the endometrium of the uterus?
the functional layer and the basal layer
what is the blood supply of the functional layer?
spiral arteries
what is the blood supply of the basal layer of the endometrium?
straight arteries
what happens to the endometrium vasculature before menstruation?
there is contraction of the artery occurring right at the straight-coiled junction; this reduces blood flow and there is destruction of the functional layer
what are the phases of the menstrual cycle?
the menstrual phase, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase
what hormone is the proliferative phase dependent on?
estrogen
how do the glands look in the secretory phase?
saw-toothed- appears serrated
what hormone is the secretory phase dependent on?
estrogen and progesterone
how do the glands look in the proliferative phase?
they are relatively straight, narrow, and empty
if pregnancy takes place, what happens to the functional layer of the endometrium?
it undergoes changes- it will be maximal thickness, it will have a massive amount of glands, and a massive amount of blood supply
what does the cervix communicate with and how?
the uterine cavity and the vagina through the endocervix canal
what is the makeup of the endocervix canal/ what lines the endocervix?
simple columnar mucosa with cervical crypts (branched mucus-secreting tubular glands)
what happens if a cervical crypt becomes occluded and dilated?
it forms nabothian cysts
what is the ectocervix and what lines it?
it is the external segment of the cervix and it is lined with (nonkeratinized) stratified squamous epithelium
what is the transformation zone of the cervix?
it is the abrupt epithelial transition between the endocervix to the ectocervix
what makes up the mucosal layer of the vagina?
nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
does the vagina have glands?
NO
what makes up the muscularis layer of the vagina?
circular and longitudinal smooth muscle
what is the hallmark of the vagina?
the vaginal wall will lack glands
what causes the relatively low pH within the vagina?
when the cells desquamate, the bacteria metabolize glycogen to lactic acid
why is the low pH important in the vagina?
it protects against pathogenic microorganisms
what makes up the mons pubis?
skin- keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, with hair follicles covering subcutaneous fat overlying the symphysis pubis
what glands are present in the labia majora?
apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands
where is the erectile tissue of the female found?
in the clitoris, the crura, and the vestibular bulbs
the clitoral body consists of two erectile bodies. What are they?
the corpora cavernosa
what do two additional layers of CT anchor the clitoris to?
the subcutaneous vulvar tissue and the superficial perineal fascia
what area of the clitoris contains numerous sensory nerve endings?
the prepuce of the clitoris
