Female Reproductive Organs Flashcards
What is the puerperium period?
A period of uterine and ovarian recovery and beginning of lactation
What three features determine macroscopic anatomy and histology of the reproductive tract?
Age, reproductive status and history
What happens in the oviduct?
Its the environment for fertilization and early embryo development
What is produced in the ovaries?
Hormones and gamete production
What functions do the external genitalia serve?
They provide protection and sensory functions.
What are the layers of the female internal genitalia?
-Serosa (outer)
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa (Inner)
What is the purpose of the muscularis layer?
Contraction (transport of gametes and parturition)
What is the purpose of the serosa layer?
cover and containment
What is the purpose of the mucosa layer?
secretory… varies with region
What is the purpose of the submucosa layer?
Housekeeping and supporting role (nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics)
What are the notable exceptions for structures present on the ovaries in the mare?
-Medulla and cortex are reversed
-Ovulation occurs at only one location in each ovary
-Ovulation occurs at specific location called “ovulation fossa”
-Follicle can be palpated per rectum but not CL; CL doesnt protrude out
What are the three main sections of the oviduct?
Infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus.
What covers the surface of the infundibulum?
Velvety, finger-like projections called fimbriae
What is the characteristic feature of the ampulla in the oviduct?
It occupies one half or more of the oviduct length and has many fern-like mucosal folds.
How does the isthmus of the oviduct compare in size to the ampulla?
The isthmus is smaller in diameter than the ampulla.
Where does the isthmus connect?
It connects directly to the uterus via the uterotubal junction.
What are the primary functions of the oviduct? (4)
- Transports newly ovulated oocyte and sperm to the ampulla where fertilization occurs.
- Substances secreted by oviductal mucosa provide the optimum environment for the unattached, unfertilized
oocyte and embryos (hystiotrophe). - Also helps in sustaining functions of spermatozoa until the arrival of an oocyte(s).
- Uterotubal junction prevents polyspermy (one of the physical barriers)
What species have a bicornuate uterus?
mare, cow, bitch, queen, cow
What species have a simplex uterus?
primate
What species have a duplex uterus?
rabbit and marsupials
What is the difference between metritis and endometritis?
Metritis: Inflammation of
endometrium, underlying glandular tissues and the muscular layer.
Endometritis: Inflammation of the endometrium and underlying glandular tissue
What is the name for the serosa in the uterus?
perimetrium
What is the name for the muscularis in the uterus?
myometrium
What is the name for the submucosa and mucosa in the uterus?
endometrium
What are the primary functions of the uterus? (5)
- Transport and “storage” of sperm
- Luteolysis and control of cyclicity
- Environment for pre-attachment embryos
- Maternal-fetal interactions through placenta
- Expulsion of the fetus and fetal placenta
What is specific about the cervix in cows, ewes and sows?
It has distinct rings called cervical rings
What is the surface structure of the cervix?
It has many crypts and folds covered with columnar epithelium.
What types of cells are found in the cervical epithelium?
Some cells are ciliated, while others produce mucin-containing protein.
What is a distinctive feature of the mare’s cervix?
The mare has no cervical rings but has several longitudinal cervical folds.
What anatomical feature is unique to the sow’s cervix?
The sow has interdigitating prominences.
How do the cervical structures of the mare differ from those of the cow, ewe, and sow
The mare has longitudinal cervical folds instead of cervical rings.
What are the primary functions of the cervix? (6)
- During estrous cycle, cervix produces mucus that lubricates the vagina during copulation.
- Foreign material introduced during copulation and some
sperm are flushed out by cervical mucus (retrograde sperm
transport). - Reduction in the numbers of spermatozoa (acidity).
- During pregnancy, cervix isolates conceptus from the external environment by producing a “cervical seal of pregnancy”.
- In non-pregnant animals cervix also protects against bacterial and fungal infections.
- Is a copulatory organ in some species
What is special about the cervix in cows and mares?
The cervix protrudes into the anterior vagina forming a pocket called a fornix
What does the vulva consist of?
Major and minor labia that meet in the medial part to form the commisures
What does the ventral commissure house?
The clitoris fossa that contains the clitoris
What allows for the transfer of some hormones between blood vessels and lymphatics in the uterus?
Close apposition of blood vessels and lymphatics.
What are the three routs of transfer of hormones between vessels and lymphatics?
1= from utero-ovarian veins and lymph to ovarian artery
2= from uterine veins and lymph to utero-ovarian artery
3= from vaginal lymph to uterine artery
