Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Answer 1

Question 2

Answer 2

• *Germinal epithelium** – single layer of cuboidal cells
• *Tunica albuginea** – dense connective tissue
• *Cortex** – made from cellular connective tissue (supporting and endocrine role – estrogens) and ovarian follicles (various developmental and regresive stages)
• *Medulla** – loose connective tissue, nerves and hilus cells (secreting androgens)

Question 3

Answer 3

• *Primordial follicle** – oocyte surrounded by single layer of squamous follicle cells
• *Early primary follicle** – oocyte surrounded by single layer of cuboidal follicle cells

Question 4

Answer 4

• *Late primary follicle** – oocyte surrounded with multiple layers of granulosa cells
• *Theca folliculi** – stromal cells immediately surrounding follicle form a sheat of dense connective tissue
• *Zona pellucida** – small space between oocyte and adjacent follicle cells, filled with glycoproteins (important role in fertilization – acrosome reaction)

Question 5

Answer 5

Secondary follicle – oocyte surrounded with 6-12 layers of granulosa cells
In cavities between granulosa cells, liquor folliculi is synthesized.

Question 6

Answer 6

As time goes by, liquor folliculi continues to accumulate among granulosa cells, cavities begin to coalasce and later form cavity called antrum folliculi.

Question 7

Answer 7

Cumulus oophorus – granulosa cells form thickend mound that projects into the antrum
Corona radiata – granulosa cells that immediately surround the oocyte and remain with it at ovulation
Theca folliculi consists of:
Theca interna – cuboidal cells adjacent to basal lamina of follicle and blood vessels
Theca externa – outer layer of connective tissue and smooth muscle cells

Question 8

Answer 8

Collapsed Graafian follicle undergoes reorganization into the corpus luteum after ovulation.
Intensive synthesis of progesterone – keeps the endometrium of uterus during the second half of menstrual cycle (corpus luteum of mensturation)
and in first few month of pregnancy (corpus luteum of pregnancy).

Question 9

Answer 9

• *Granulosa lutein cells** – large, polygonal cells, located centrally in corpus luteum, synthesis of progesterone and small amount of estrogen
• *Theca lutein cells** – small, round shape, thin layer of cells on the periphery of corpus luteum, synthesis of progesterone

Question 10

Answer 10

There are 4 segments of Fallopian tube:
Intramural part – the shortest segment, lies within the uterine wall
Istmus – narrow, medial segment of uterine tube adjacent to the uterus
Ampulla – the longest segment, mucosa is thicker than mucle layer
Infudibulum – funnel shaped segment, adjacent to ovary, distal end has fringed extensions (fimbriae) toward the ovary

Question 11

Answer 11

• *Mucosa** (numerous folds of mucosa):
• *Lamina epithelialis mucosa** – simple columnar epithelium (ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells)
• *Lamina propria mucosa** - loose connective tissue
• *Muscularis** – two layers of smooth muscle tissue
• *Subserosa** – loose connective tissue with numerous blood vessels and nerves
• *Serosa** – visceral peritoneum (mesothelium)

Question 12

Answer 12

Question 13

Answer 13

Perimetrium – visceral peritoneum (mesothelium)
Myometrium – the thick muscle layer, three sublayers
(outer layer, stratum vasculare, inner layer)
Endometrium (mucosa):
Surface epithelium – simple columnar epithelium (secretory and cilliated cells)
Endometrial stroma – highly vascularized cellular loose connective tissue with stromal cells
Stratum basale – lower ¼ of endometrium, retained during menstruation (regeneration of stratum functionale)
Stratum functionale – upper ¾ of endometrium, sloughed off at menstruation

Question 14

Answer 14

Uterine glands – tubular glands, throughout the thickness of the endometrium
The proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle is regulated by estrogens from ovarian follicles. The number of uterine glands is gradually increasing.
They have narrow lumina, columnar cells and have a slightly wavy appearance. Spiral arterioles are present in smaller number and have slightly coiled appearance.

Question 15

Answer 15

Question 16

Answer 16

The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle is regulated by progesterone produced in corpus luteum. Stratum functionale becomes edematous.
Uterine glands enlarge and become corkscrew-shaped with sacculated lumina (secretion of mucoid fluid).
Stratum compactum – the smaller part of stratum functionale just below the superficial epithelium, more homogeneous in appearance
Stratum spongiosum - part of the functional layer with spongy look due to the wide lumina of the uterine glands

Question 17

Answer 17

In secretory phase, spiral arterioles lenghten and become more coiled.

Question 18

Answer 18

Question 19

Answer 19

• *Ectocervix (external os)** – portion of cervix that projects into the vagina.
• *Endocervix (internal os)** – inner portion of cervix adjacent to cervical canal
• *Myometrium** – smooth muscle tissue only in endocervix
• *Perimetrium** – anterior to the bladder without mesothelium, at the posterior surface covered with mesothelium

Question 20

Answer 20

Cervical glands – big, branched tubular glands, lined with mucus secreting columnar epithelium (synthesis of cervical mucus)

Question 21

Answer 21

Question 22

Answer 22