Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Function of the ovary

Answer 1

Produce gametes

Produce steroids, mainly oestrogens and progestogens

Question 2

Structure of the ovary

Answer 2

Medulla forms the core and contains loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics
Cortex has scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma
Outer shell of cortex is called the tunica albuginea, covered by germinal epithelium

Question 3

What is oogenesis?

Answer 3

The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia

Question 4

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 4

The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells

Question 5

What happens if the oocyte fails to associate with pregranulosa cells?

Answer 5

It will die

If it enters growth phase, pregranulosa cells change from squamous to cuboidal

Question 6

What are the largest antral follicles called?

Answer 6

Graafian follicles

Question 7

What is the cumulus oophorus?

Answer 7

A mound of cells extending from the wall of the follicle surround the oocyte

Question 8

What is the corona radiata and what happens prior to ovulation?

Answer 8

A halo of surrounding cells which will separate from the rest of the lining granulosa cells prior to ovulation

Question 9

What happens one day prior to ovulation?

Answer 9

The oocyte in the largest graafian follicle will complete meiosis 1 and produces a secondary oocyte and a polar body that carries the second nucleus to degenerate.
Secondary oocyte begins second phase of meiosis but stops at metaphase 2. It will only complete meiosis to become fully mature after it has been released (ovulation) and fertilised by a sperm.

Question 10

How are the oocytes released?

Answer 10

Prior to ovulation, follices press against outer margin of the ovary, thinning the tunica albuginea.
Area of the bulge on surface of the ovary is called follicular stigma and it ruptures to release oocyte and corona radiata.
They are then picked up by the fimbriae of the uterine tube.

Question 11

What happens after ovulation?

Answer 11

Follicle transforms into corpus luteum with theca and granulosa cells secreting oestrogen and progesterone to help prepare uterus for implantation.
No implantation = becomes white connective tissue called corpus albicans
Implantation = placenta secretes HCG preventing degeneration of corpus luteum to mainain progesterone levels, maintaining the pregnancy

Question 12

What is the fallopian tubes role in ovulation?

Answer 12

Funnel shaped infundibulum moves so that its opening is adjacent to the site where follicle ruptures.
Ovum moves down the tube propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by ciliated epithelium.
Secretory epithelium secrete nutrients.
Fertilisation usually occurs in the ampulla and the fertilised ovum is then transported to the uterus for implantation.

Question 13

Structure of the uterine tube

Answer 13

folded mucosa lined by simple columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and secretory cells then surrounded by smooth muscle

Question 14

How many layers of smooth muscle in the ampulla and isthmus?

Answer 14

Ampulla - 2 layers

Isthmus - 3 layers

Question 15

What makes up the uterine wall?

Answer 15

Endometrium - inner secretory mucosa, most shed during menstruation
Myometrium - thick coat of 3 layers of smooth muscle with collagen and elastic tissue
Perimetrium - outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium

Question 16

What is the endometrium divided into?

Answer 16

Stratum functionalis - undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss
Stratum basalis - reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis

Question 17

What happens to the uterus during the proliferative phase?

Answer 17

Stratum basalis proliferates and glands, stroma and vasculature grow and this increases the thickness of the endometrium by reconstituting the stratum functionalis

Question 18

What happens to the uterus during the secretory phase?

Answer 18

Glands become coiled with a corkscrew appearance and secrete glycogen

Question 19

What happens to the uterus during the menstrual phase?

Answer 19

Arterioles in the stratum functionalis undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing ischemia, with resultant tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and shedding of tissue

Question 20

What is the cervix?

Answer 20

A short cylinder with a small lumen that projects into the upper vagina.

Question 21

Structure of the cervix

Answer 21

Mostly fibrous connective tissue
Covered by stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface
Transitioning to mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium.

Question 22

Structure of the mucous secreting epithelium

Answer 22

Deeply furrowed

Forms endocervical glands

Question 23

What do endocervical glands secrete?

Answer 23

Thin and watery secretion in proliferative phase (allowing passage of sperm)
Thick and viscous secretion following ovulation (preventing passage of sperm)

Question 24

What are the four layers of the vagina?

Answer 24

1 - non keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
2 - lamina propria - connective tissue rich in elastic fibres and blood vessels
3 - fibromuscular layer - inner circular, outer longitudinal smooth muscle
4 - adventitia

Question 25

What lubricates the wall of the vagina?

Answer 25

Mucous from the cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of lamina propria

Question 26

What is the mons pubis?

Answer 26

Skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles overlying a substantial subcutaneous fat pad, overlying the pubic symphysis

Question 27

What is the labia majora?

Answer 27

Extensions of the mons pubis, similar structure and rich in apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands with bundles of smooth muscle.
Hair follicles on outer surface but not the inner surface

Question 28

What is the labia minora?

Answer 28

Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles
Rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands that secrete directly onto the surface of the skin

Question 29

What epithelial transition is at the hymen?

Answer 29

Keratinized epithelium to non-keratanised stratified squamou epithelium

Question 30

What is the clitoris?

Answer 30

Two tubes of erectile vascular tissue covered by a fibrocollagenous sheath covered by skin with rich innervation and a thin epidermis

Question 31

What is found amongst the fibrous connective tissue in a non-lactating breast?

Answer 31

Some larger condensations extending from dermis of skin to deep fascia = suspensory ligaments, support breast tissue

Question 32

What is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?

Answer 32

The terminal duct lobular unit

Question 33

What is the duct system in a non lactating breast?

Answer 33

Terminal ductules lead into an intralobular collecting duct lead into the lactiferous duct leading to the nipple, passing through an expanded duct region - lactiferous sinus

Question 34

What is the lactiferous duct lined by?

Answer 34

Varying epithelium from a thin stratified squamous near the surface to deeper stratified cuboidal

Question 35

Structure of the nipple

Answer 35

Wrinkled surface covered by a thin, highly pigmented keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
Core of dense irregular connective tissue with bundles of smooth muscle

Question 36

What do oestrogen and progesterone stimulate during pregnancy?

Answer 36

Proliferation of secretory tissue and fibro-fatty tissue becomes sparse

Question 37

What is the composition of human milk?

Answer 37

88% water
1.5% protein (lactalbumin and casein)
7% carbohydrate (lactose)
3.5% lipid

small quantities of ions, vitamins and antibodies also present

Question 38

How are lipid droplets secreted?

Answer 38

Surrounded by membrane and carry a small amount of cytoplasm

Apocrine secretion

Question 39

How are proteins secreted?

Answer 39

Via vesicles which merge with apical membrane to release only their contents into the duct system
Merocrine secretion

Question 40

Where does fertilisation usually occur?

Answer 40

The ampulla of the uterine tube

Fertilised ovum then transported to the uterus for implantation

Question 41

What does the loose connective tissue surrounding the acini within the mammary lobule allow?

Answer 41

Rapid expansion during pregnancy