Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Answer 1

• produce the female gametes

- produce the sex hormones

Question 2

Describe the Ovary Cortex

Answer 2

• broad peripheral zone containing follicles in various stages of development
• low cuboidal epithelium lines the surface
• connective tissue layer below the surface (Tunica albuginea)

Question 3

Describe the Ovary Medulla

Answer 3

center zone containing connective tissue, nerves, blood, and lymph vessels

Question 4

What are the hormones important for folliculogenesis?

Answer 4

• Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) important for follicular growth and maturation
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) important for estrogen synthesis and ovulation

Question 5

Describe a Primordial Follicle

Answer 5

• primary oocyte enclosed by flattened simple squamous follicular cells resting on basal lamina
• retained in resting stage

Question 6

Describe a Primary Follicle

Answer 6

• primary oocyte enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells

Question 7

Describe a Secondary Follicle

Answer 7

• primary oocyte enclosed by several layers of follicular cells
• follicular cells now called granulosa cells
• zona pelucida forms
• liquid filled areas begin to form between granulosa cells

Question 8

Describe a Tertiary Follicle

Answer 8

• granulosa cell layer getting thicker
• atrum enlarges
• forms corona radiata and cumulus oophorus

Question 9

Describe a Mature (Graafian) Follicle

Answer 9

• oocyte detaches from cumulus oophorus and floats free in follicular liquid

Question 10

What is the Corona Radiata?

Answer 10

granulosa cells sticking to the zona pellucida

Question 11

What is the Culumus Oophorus?

Answer 11

cluster of granulosa cells anchoring oocyte in follicle

Question 12

What is the Corpus Luteum?

Answer 12

• after ovulation, blood enters the empty follicle to form the corpus hemorrhagicum
• theca and granulosa cells luteinize and enter this area, enlarge and increase in number
• produces progesterone and estrogens
• yellow pigment in carnivores, mares, and cows

Question 13

What is the Corpus albicans?

Answer 13

• fibrous scar that forms as the corpus luteum disappears

Question 14

Describe the Oviduct

Answer 14

• muscular tube derived from the Mullerian ducts
• one end opens into uterine cavity, the other opens into the peritoneal cavity
• lined with cilia

Question 15

What are the functions of the Oviduct?

Answer 15

• receives the ovum
• ova picked up by fimbriae and directed into oviduct
• cilia help transport the ovum
• fertilization happens in the ampulla

Question 16

What are the layers of the Uterus?

Answer 16

• inner layer is the endometrium
• two muscular layers (myometrium) with stratum vasculare between them
• outer layer is lined by mesothelium (perimetirum)

Question 17

Describe the Endometrium of the Uterus

Answer 17

• functional zone: superficial layer that degenerates after pregnancy or estrus
• basal zone: layer that remains
• quantity of glands depends on status of pregnancy
• epithelium varies from simple to pseudostratified columnar
• morphology of uterine glands is dependent on hormones

Question 18

Describe the Myometrium of the Uterus

Answer 18

• two layers of smooth muscle

- stratum vasculare contain blood vessels between the two layers

Question 19

What are the functions of the Cervix?

Answer 19

• provides a seal at the cranial vagina

- functions as “gatekeeper” by holding products of conception in uterus until parturition

Question 20

Describe the Endocervix

Answer 20

• simple columnar epithelium with some mucus secreting cells
• no musclaris mucosa
• propria-submucosa conatining CT and blood vessels
• muscularis externa containing inner and outer smooth muscle layers
• serosa made up of loose CT lined by mesothelium

Question 21

Describe the Ectocervix

Answer 21

• closer to the outside, more protective layer
• lined by stratified squamous epithelium
• epithelium changes during estrus cycle

Question 22

Describe the Vagina

Answer 22

• stratified squamous epithelium
• mucosa, muscularis, serosa
• no muscularis mucosa
• two layers of smooth muscle
• propria-submucosa has CT and lymphoid follicles

Question 23

Describe the Vaginal cell morphology during Proestrus

Answer 23

• all types of epithelial cells present
• erythrocytes and neutrophils present
• lower numbers of inflammatory cells during late proestrus

Question 24

Describe the Vaginal cell morphology during Estrus

Answer 24

• superficial/keratinized cells, anucleate

- less neutrophils

Question 25

Describe the Vaginal cell morphology during Diestrus

Answer 25

• number of superficial cells abruptly decrease
• intermediate and parabasal cells increase
• neutrophils increase in number

Question 26

Describe the Vaginal cell morphology during Anestrus

Answer 26

• parabasal and intermediate cells predominate
• neutrophils and erythrocytes present in small numbers
• everything is quiet