Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Internal female genitalia
. Ovary . Oviduct . Uterus . Cervix . Vagina
External female genitalia
. Labias majora and minora
. Clit
Functions of female reproductive system
. Production of ovum
. Reception of male gametes
. Provision of suitable environment for fertilization and development
. Mechanism for expulsion of fetus at birth
. Nutrition of newborn w/ accessory sex organs
Ovary gross anatomy
. Endocrine and exocrine
. Almond shaped w/ indistinct medulla and cortex
. Hilus for vessels and Erie to enter and exit
. Endocrine products: estrogen and progesterone
. Exocrine: ovum
Ovary characteristics
. Simple cuboidal (germinal epithelium)
. Deep to epithelium is tunica albuginea (dense CT layer)
. Cortex formed by ovarian follicles in compact cellular stroma
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Ovarian follicles
. Each is immature ovum w/ supporting cells
. 600,000-800,000 at birth
. Primary Oocytes arrested in prophase I
. Initiation of menstruation causes cyclic follicular maturation
. 400-480 follicles mature during lifetime
. Follicles present: primordial, growing, and mature (graafian)
Primordial follicle (unilaminar)
. Resting state, not stimulated by hormones
. Most follicles are this
. In cortex under tunica albuginea
. Primordial follicle formed by primary oocyte surrounded by single layer of flattened follicular cells
. Primary oocyte is 30 mu in diameter w/ round, open-faced nucleus w/ prominent nucleolus, abundant cytoplasm
. Follicular cells flattened epithelial cells on basal lamina
. Small cohorts of follicles begin process of follicular growth
Primary follicle
. Hormonally stimulated primordial follicle
. Primary oocyte enlarges to 50-80 um
. Follicular cells become granulosa cells by being cuboidal and proliferating
Preantral (multilaminar primary follicle)
. Granulosa cells form 2= cell layers around oocyte (stratum granulosum)
. Zona pellucida: refractive layer btw oocyte and stratum granulosum, derived from oocyte, had GAGs and glycoproteins
. Theca folliculi: concentric sheath around folllicle from differentiated stroma cells, separated from stratum granulosum by thick basement membrane
Antral (secondary) follicle
. Later stage of development, moves deeper into cortex of ovary
. Stratum granulosum 6-12 layers thick w/ fluid (liquor folliculi) btw adjacent granulosa cells
. Fluid spaces coalesce to form cavity w/in follicle (follicular antrum/antral cavity)
. Follicle 0.2 mm in this phase, grows into 10 mm or more from granulosa cell proliferation
. Oocyte in eccentric position
. Corona radiata: single layer granulosum cells surrounding oocyte connected via gap junction
. Theca folliculi divided into theca interna (inner vascular layer secreting hormones) and theca externa (outer CT smooth muscle adjacent to stroma)
Cumulus oophorus
. Oocyte plus corona radiata on one side of the antral cavity
Mature (Graafian) follicle
. Extremely large antral follicle (10 mm+)
. Classified as mature based on size
. Final step before ovulation
. cumulus oophorus loosens from rest of cells of stratum granulosum so oocyte floats free in liquor folliculi in antrum
. 1st meiotic division completed prior to ovulation
. Yields secondary oocyte and 1st polar body
. 2nd meiotic division completed at fertilization produces mature ovum and 2nd polar body
Follicular atresia
. Follicle can degenerate at any stage of maturation
. Atretic follicle has clear hyaline membrane be stratum granulosum and theca folliculi (glassy membrane)
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Ovulation
. Process of releasing secondary oocyte from ovarian follicle
. Only 1 follicle reaches maturation each cycle
Follicle changes immediately prior to ovulation
. Follicular fluid inc., pressure in follicle inc.
. Protein lysis causing weakening of follicular wall
. Stratum granulosum, theca folliculi, and tunica albuginea thin out on surface of ovary over follicle
. Epithelium over follicle becomes avascular created macula pellucida/stigma (translucent spot) that is site of follicular rupture
. Secondary oocyte released from oviduct when follicle ruptures and is viable for 24 hours
. Remnants of folliclular wall remain and form corpus luteum
Follicle after oocyte rupture
. Follicular walls collapse forming folded corpus luteum/literal gland w/ stratum granulosum and theca interna
. Remaining stratum granulosum cells inc. in size and fill w/ lipid to become granulosa lutein cells
. Theca interna cels form theca lutein cels found at periphery of corpus luteum
. Corpus luteum is highly vascularized, endo Erin gland secreted estrogen and progesterone
What happens if fertilization doesn’t occur?
. Corpus luteum remains active for 14 days then degenerates (corpus luteum of menstruation)
. Degenerates corpus luteum involutes
. Cells replaced by white scar tissue to form corpus albicans
What happens if fertilization does occur?
. Corpus luteum inc. in size and active during 1st 4-5 months (corpus luteum of pregnancy)
Ovarian medulla
. Contains loose CT, blood vessels, nn.
Follicular phase in menstruation
. Related to growth of follicle
. Up to time of ovulation
. Maturing follicle will secrete estrogen
Luteal phase of menstruation
. Follows ovulation and continues up until start of menstruation
. Corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone
Oviducts gross structure
. Paired tubes 10-12 cm long attached to sup. Aspect of uterus
. 4 segments: infundibulum w/ fimbriae, ampulla, isthmus, and intramural portion