Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Describe primordial follicles.

Answer 1

-primary oocytes
-flattened simple squamous
-resting stage in fetal ovary

Question 2

Describe primary follicles.

Answer 2

-primary oocyte
-simple cuboidal
-starts forming after puberty (FSH, LH)

Question 3

Describe secondary follicle.

Answer 3

-oocyte completes meiosis 1 = secondary oocyte

LAYERS:
-oocyte enclosed by thick glycoprotein later “zona pellucida” (innermost)
-granulosa cells (middle layer) = receptors for FSH
-theca interna cells (outermost) = spindle shape cells are steroid producing/metabolizing

Question 4

Describe tertiary follicle.

Answer 4

-follicle is larger
-oocyte surrounded by follicular cells “corona radiata” & has liquid filled areas between granulosa cells “antrum”
-aggregate of granulosa cells “cumulus oophorus”

Question 5

Describe mature (graafian) follicles.

Answer 5

-2ndary oocyte detaches from cumulus oophorus & floats in antrum ready to ovulate
-acquire LH receptors for development of corpus luteum

Question 6

Describe corpus luteum.

Answer 6

• Ovulation → blood into antrum → corpushemorrhagicum
• Capillaries from stroma invade and convert it into a temporary endocrine organ called the corpus luteum (CL)
• CL is vital to maintaining pregnancy – secretes progesterone
• Luteinization is the process by which the granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal (lutein) cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)
• In response to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)and luteinizing hormone (LH), lutein cells produce progesterone and estrogens

Question 7

Describe corpus albicans.

Answer 7

-degen of corpus luteum
-fibrous scar
-white

Question 8

Describe the oviduct.

Answer 8

uterine tube from ovary to uterus

3 sections :
1.infundibulum + fimbria
2.ampulla
3.isthmus

Function:

1. Receive the ovum
   • ovum is picked up by fimbriae of the infundibulum and directed into oviduct lumen
2. Provide favorable environment for fertilization (ampulla)
   • epithelial secretions promote capacitation of sperm
3. Transport zygote to uterus for implantation
   • cilia assist transport

Question 9

Describe the uterus.

Answer 9

Function:
-placenta, conception, birth

Structure: (outermost to innermost)
-perimetrium = serous a
-mesometrium = mesentery
-myometrium = muscularis
-endometrium = mucosa (columnar w/ tubular glands-> F zone sheds & B zone [basal] doesn’t)

2 Parts: act as seal & gatekeeper until birth
1. Endocervix = faces uterus
-simple columnar with mucus secreting folds
-muscle layers
-serosa
2. Ectocervix = faces vagina
-stratified squamous

Question 10

Describe the vagina.

Answer 10

• Fibro-muscular tube with three layers: mucosa, muscularis and serosa (cranial)/adventitia(caudal)
• Mucosa=
-numerous folds (rugae) separated by channels of variable depth
-mostly stratified squamous epithelium with patches of simple columnar epithelium and mucus producing cells
• Muscularis=
-Smooth muscles are arranged circularly
(inner) and longitudinally (outer)

vaginal epithelium (height/keratinization) varies due to hormones/cycle

Question 11

Explain the difference between epitheliochorial, endotheliochorial, and hemochorial placentas.

Answer 11

1. Hemochorial [humans] = fetal tissue in contact with maternal blood DISK
2. Endotheliochorial [carnivore] = fetal tissue in contact with maternal blood vessel BELT/ZONE
3. Epitheliochorial [ruminants] = fetal tissue in contact with uterine epithelium COTYLEDONES IN COW & DIFFUSED IN HORSE/PIG