Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Describe structure of the ovary

Answer 1

Paired almond-shaped streuctures

In a shallow depression (ovarian fossa) on the lateral wall of the pelvis

Question 2

What are the functions of the ovary ?

Answer 2

• Production of ova by the process of oogenesis
• Synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones which regulate the maturation of developing oocyte’s and maintain secondary sex organs

Question 3

Describe the outer cortex of the ovary

Answer 3

Contains connective tissue & ovarian follicles at different stages

Question 4

describe the inner medulla of the ovary

Answer 4

Contains blood vessels and nerves

Question 5

Describe the surface of the ovary

Answer 5

Covered by single layer of cuboidal cells called germinal epithelium

Question 6

Describe the tunica albugenia

Answer 6

The thick connective tissue layer under germinal epithelium.

Question 7

When does oogenesis begin?

Answer 7

Oogenesis begins during fetal life mitotic division of primordial germ cells produce oogenia

At birth there are about 600,000-800,000

Question 8

Summarize oogonia

Answer 8

-oogonia transforms to primary oocyte

Primary oocyte is arrested at Prophase of meiosis 1 till puberty

Approximately 400 mature ova ovulated during the reproductive years

Question 9

Describe uterine(fallopian) tubes

Answer 9

• Paired fibromuscular tubes, extend bilaterally from the uterus
• Connect the uterine cavity to the peritoneal cavity
• Transport the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
• Provides nourishment for the ovum

Question 10

Describe the histology of the uterine tubes

Answer 10

• 3 layers
• epithelium: simple cuboidal with peg cells
• muscularis
• serosa

Question 11

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 11

• site of implantation of a fertilized ovum
• Provides a protective and nutritive environment for the developing fetus
• Serves as part of the route through which sperm deposited in the vagina reaches the uterine tubes
• Source of menstrual flow when implantation doesn’t occur

Question 12

What are the ligaments of the uterus?

Answer 12

• broad
• uterosacral
• transverse cervical (cardinal)
• pubocervical

Question 13

What is the vesicouterine pouch?

Answer 13

Peritoneum covering the bladder and uterus

Question 14

What is the recto-uterine pouch “pouch of Douglas”?

Answer 14

Peritoneum covering the rectum and uterus

Question 15

What is the function of the broad ligament of the uterus?

Answer 15

-peritoneal fold over the uterus and uterine tubes

Question 16

What is the function of the round ligament?

Answer 16

-Remnant of the gubernaculum, attaches to the labia majora

Question 17

What is the function of uterosacral ligament?

Answer 17

-pelvic fascia condensation

Question 18

What is the function of the suspension ligament of the female pelvis ?

Answer 18

Ovarian vessels with peritoneal covering

Question 19

What is the function of the ovarian ligament?

Answer 19

Proper ligament attaching the ovary to the posterior side of the uterine fundus

Question 20

What is function of transverse cervical ligament(cardinal ligament)?

Answer 20

-pelvic fascia condensation

Question 21

Describe the broad ligament

Answer 21

Double fold of peritoneum that “drapes” over the uterus and tubes (like a rain poncho)

Question 22

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Answer 22

• A pregnancy that implants outside the uterine cavity

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),tubal surgery, intrauterine surgery are risk factors

Question 23

What is pelvic inflammatory disease(PID)?

Answer 23

An infection of the female reproductive organs

• Bacterial infection of the cervix and vagina ascends into the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes
• Risk factors is sexually transmitted disease (STD) by chlamydia and gonorrhea

Question 24

What are the histological layers of the uterus?

Answer 24

Perimetrium: outer layer (serosa)

Myometrium: middle smooth muscle layer

Endometrium: inner layer consisting of endometrial glands, connective tissue stroma and blood vessels, undergoes continual change

• Stratum functionalis: shed during menstruation
• Stratum basalis: retained during menstruation to serve as stem cells for the functionalism during the next cycle

Question 25

What is the menstrual phase ?

Answer 25

Also known as menstruation (menses), lasts for about the first 5 days of the cycle. Spiral arteries constrict leading to hypoxia and cell death. Stratum functionalis is shed

Question 26

What is the pre-ovulatory phase (proliferative)?

Answer 26

Endometrial glands and blood vessels (spiral arteries) regrow (new stratum functionalis) and increase in size under the influence of estrogen from the ovary. Glands are straight, spiral arteries lengthen and coil slightly

Question 27

What is the secretory (post-ovulatory) phase?

Answer 27

Endometrial glands become cork-screw in shape and the cells secrete nutrients especially glycogen into the lumen under the influence of progesterone

Question 28

Describe cervical cancer

Answer 28

Dysplasia-abnormal shape growth and number of cervical cells

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Question 29

What is a Pap smear?

Answer 29

Screening test

-Microscopic examination of cells scraped from the opening of the cervix

Question 30

Describe the anatomy of the vagina

Answer 30

• A fibrimuscular canal extending from the cervix to the vestibule of the external Genitalia
• protrusion of the cervix into the vagina forms a recess between the cervix & the wall of the vagina called fornix

Question 31

What are the vaginal fornices?

Answer 31

• anterior
• posterior
• lateral (2)

Question 32

Give the histological structure of the vagina

Answer 32

• Vagina is lined by stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
• Sub-epithelial connective tissue has no glands
• Superficial cells are pale staining with H & E stains because of glycogen stores