Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Small, Almond-shaped structure
OVARY
Two primary function of ovary
Gametogenesis
Steroidgenesis
Two regions of ovary
Cortex (yellow) with ovarian follicles
Medulla (green) with Loose CT, blood vessels, lymphatics,
nerves
OVARY epithelium
Germinal epithelium of Simple cuboidal/squamous
epithelium: continuous with Mesovarium lining
Primordial germ cells of ovary:
Extragonadal origin; Migrate
from embryonic yolk sac into gonads
SITE OF FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT of ovary
Ovarian follicles provide env’t for
Oocyte development
Ovarian Follicle groups:
Primordial
Growing
Mature / Graffian
Earliest development stage,
Appear at 3rd fetal month;
Primordian follicle
Growing follicles classification:
Unilaminar primary
Multilaminar primary
Secondary / Antral
follicles
Primary oocyte with single layer of cuboidal follicular cells
Unilaminar primary follicles:
Multilaminar primary follicle:
Primary oocyte with several layers
of granulosa (follicular cells)
Granulosa cells proliferate and stromal cells secrete a circumferential layer of cells called
Theca Folliculi
Theca Folliculi:
Theca Interna
Theca Externa
inner layer,
highly vascularized cells,
Secrete Androstenedione upon
LH Stimulation
Theca Interna
Outer CT layer with
Smooth muscle and collagen fiber bundles
Theca Externa
Maturing
primary follicles move deeper into cortex
and develop ANTRUMS
Secondary / Antral follicle
cavities with Liquor Folliculi
- distinguishing characteristic of secondary follicle
Antrums
most mature soon release primary oocyte via Ovulation
Graffian follicle / Mature
With Granulosa cell stalk called
Cumulus Oophorus
With Granulosa cell layer surrounding primary oocyte called
Corona Radiata
Ovarian follicles that
Degenerate before fully Maturing.
Atretic follicle
re-organized collapsed follicle (Post-Ovulation)
Corpus luteum
secretes progesterone & estrogen
to maintain endometrium for implantation
Corpus luteum
Two types of cells of ovary
Granulosa Lutein
Theca lutein
derived from: granulosa cells
Granulosa Lutein
derived from Theca Interna cells
Theca lutein
CL degenerates and forms
White scar called
Corpus Albicans
Post-Ovulation:
10-12 days
Oviduct a.k.a
Fallopian tubes
Uterine tubes
Salpinges
All are short muscular tubes with one end opening to the peritoneal cavity;
one end communicating with uterine cavity
Oviduct
Oviduct function:
transport oocyte from ovary to uterus
: provide necessary environment for fertilization and early development of zygote
Oviduct Segments
Ifundibulum
Ampulla (longest segment; site of fertilization)
Isthmus
Intramural portion
Three layers of oviduct
Mucosal
Muscular
Serosal
inner layer with thin longitudinal folds
Projecting into lumen
Mucosal
middle layer with inner circular and
Outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
Muscular
outer layer with mesothelium &
CT of Mesosalpinx
Serosal
Mucosal layer
simple columnar with ciliated low cells (black) and non-ciliated peg cells
Ciliated low cells
help transport oocyte to uterus
secrete sperm capacitation factors
Peg cells
Proliferative stage
thick muscular layer
Outer longitudinal layer
Middle longitudinal layer
Longitudinal layer
All smooth muscle layers
Myometrium
Simple cuboidal
Lamina propria
Secretory glands
Endometrium : Stratum functionale
Stratum Basale
Mucosal layer / Endometrium
Sec. of uterus in Secretory Stage
Myometrium
Endometrium
Stratum functionale
Stratum basale
– longest in secretory phase menstruation, which is regulated by Progesterone.
S. functionale
Menstrual stage
Myometrium
Endometium
S. functionale
S. basale
Inferior portion of uterus that protrudes into the vagina
Distinct from the body and fundus of uterus
Uterine cervix
mucous-secreting simple columnar epithelium and glandular folds
Cervix
Epithelium of cervix
stratified squamous parakeratinized
site of many cervical cancers
Cervical-epithelial junction
Vaginal Layers:
Mucosa
Muscularis
Adventitia
stratified squamous parakeratinized epithelium that secretes glycogen; no glands in lamina propria
glycogen – metabolizes lactic acid (via bacteria)
lactic acid – lowers ph & provides protection
Vaginal mucosa
inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers;
No muscularis mucosa
Note: the vagina can be distinguished from esophagus by the absence of M. mucosa
Muscularis
dense fibroelastic CT
Adheres vagina to surrounding pelvic contents
Adventitia
highly modified sweat glands; identical in males and females until puberty
Mammary gland
few lobules
Abundant CT & adipose
Inactive Mammary gland
simple cuboidal epithelium surrounded by loose CT
Intralobular ducts
A sect. of active mammary gland
Significant proliferation and development during pregnancy
Abundant glandular lobules
Less CT and adipose tissue
Alveoli and ducts with simple cuboidal epithelium
Secrete colostrum/Milk (yellow) via Apocrine secretion
Active mammary gland
