Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Ovary Features
Mesothelial layer
Cuboidal but contributes nothing to formation of oocytes
What is this?
Ovary
Oocyte Development
About week 6 in development, germ cells from the yolk sac invade ovaries and proliferate to form oogonia. These eventually become mature oocytes (ova)
Oogenesis
Folliculogenesis
Development of oocytes from oogoniaGrowth of the follicle which consists of oocyte and any associated support cells
Follicular Development
Pregranulosa cells
Surround the oocytes. Eventually proliferate and become cuboidal (primary follicles) In the background in the picture shown.
Granulosa receptors
Theca interna cells
Receptors for FSH
Receptors for LH
What is this?
Either a secondary pre-antral follicle, or a late primary follicle.
Major role of follicle
Production of hormones. Theca interna cells produce androgens which diffuse across the basal lamina and are converted to oestrogens by granulosa cells.
Antral Follicle
Formation
Spaces filled with follicular liquid form, coalesce and enlarge in the granulosa layer. This space is called the antrum. Follicle enlarges as the antrum does, and granulosa and thecal layers continue to proliferate.
What is this?
Oocyte inside follicle
Ovulation
Prior to ovulation follicle is pressed against outer margin of ovary, thinning tunica albuginea. With ovulation the bulge ruptures and the oocyte (now secondary) and surrounding corona radiata are released and picked up by the fimbriae of uterine tube.
Corpus Luteum
Follicle
Fills with blood and becomes corpus luteum (yellow body)
What is this?
Corpus luteum and albicans (white body)
Ovary Features
Medulla
Has helicine arteries, and is highly vascularised
Ovary Features
Broad ligament
Broad ligament attached at hilum
Follicular Development
Stromal cells
Can become specialised and surround oocyte in a single layer of squamous cells. Oocyte dies if that doesn’t happen. Go on to form the theca/thecal cells
