Female Reproductive Organs

Question 1

What is the puerperium period?

Answer 1

A period of uterine and ovarian recovery and beginning of lactation

Question 2

What three features determine macroscopic anatomy and histology of the reproductive tract?

Answer 2

Age, reproductive status and history

Question 3

What happens in the oviduct?

Answer 3

Its the environment for fertilization and early embryo development

Question 4

What is produced in the ovaries?

Answer 4

Hormones and gamete production

Question 5

What functions do the external genitalia serve?

Answer 5

They provide protection and sensory functions.

Question 6

What are the layers of the female internal genitalia?

Answer 6

-Serosa (outer)
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa (Inner)

Question 7

What is the purpose of the muscularis layer?

Answer 7

Contraction (transport of gametes and parturition)

Question 8

What is the purpose of the serosa layer?

Answer 8

cover and containment

Question 9

What is the purpose of the mucosa layer?

Answer 9

secretory… varies with region

Question 10

What is the purpose of the submucosa layer?

Answer 10

Housekeeping and supporting role (nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics)

Question 11

What are the notable exceptions for structures present on the ovaries in the mare?

Answer 11

-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

Question 12

What are the three main sections of the oviduct?

Answer 12

Infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus.

Question 13

What covers the surface of the infundibulum?

Answer 13

Velvety, finger-like projections called fimbriae

Question 14

What is the characteristic feature of the ampulla in the oviduct?

Answer 14

It occupies one half or more of the oviduct length and has many fern-like mucosal folds.

Question 15

How does the isthmus of the oviduct compare in size to the ampulla?

Answer 15

The isthmus is smaller in diameter than the ampulla.

Question 16

Where does the isthmus connect?

Answer 16

It connects directly to the uterus via the uterotubal junction.

Question 17

What are the primary functions of the oviduct? (4)

Answer 17

• 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)

Question 18

What species have a bicornuate uterus?

Answer 18

mare, cow, bitch, queen, cow

Question 19

What species have a simplex uterus?

Answer 19

primate

Question 20

What species have a duplex uterus?

Answer 20

rabbit and marsupials

Question 21

What is the difference between metritis and endometritis?

Answer 21

Metritis: Inflammation of
endometrium, underlying glandular tissues and the muscular layer.

Endometritis: Inflammation of the endometrium and underlying glandular tissue

Question 22

What is the name for the serosa in the uterus?

Answer 22

perimetrium

Question 23

What is the name for the muscularis in the uterus?

Answer 23

myometrium

Question 24

What is the name for the submucosa and mucosa in the uterus?

Answer 24

endometrium

Question 25

What are the primary functions of the uterus? (5)

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

What is specific about the cervix in cows, ewes and sows?

Answer 26

It has distinct rings called cervical rings

Question 27

What is the surface structure of the cervix?

Answer 27

It has many crypts and folds covered with columnar epithelium.

Question 28

What types of cells are found in the cervical epithelium?

Answer 28

Some cells are ciliated, while others produce mucin-containing protein.

Question 29

What is a distinctive feature of the mare’s cervix?

Answer 29

The mare has no cervical rings but has several longitudinal cervical folds.

Question 30

What anatomical feature is unique to the sow’s cervix?

Answer 30

The sow has interdigitating prominences.

Question 31

How do the cervical structures of the mare differ from those of the cow, ewe, and sow

Answer 31

The mare has longitudinal cervical folds instead of cervical rings.

Question 32

What are the primary functions of the cervix? (6)

Answer 32

• 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

Question 33

What is special about the cervix in cows and mares?

Answer 33

The cervix protrudes into the anterior vagina forming a pocket called a fornix

Question 34

What does the vulva consist of?

Answer 34

Major and minor labia that meet in the medial part to form the commisures

Question 35

What does the ventral commissure house?

Answer 35

The clitoris fossa that contains the clitoris

Question 36

What allows for the transfer of some hormones between blood vessels and lymphatics in the uterus?

Answer 36

Close apposition of blood vessels and lymphatics.

Question 37

What are the three routs of transfer of hormones between vessels and lymphatics?

Answer 37

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