Female Reproductive System Histology

Question 1

What happens when there’s no testosterone and anit-Mullerian hormone?

Answer 1

Wolffian duct degenerates

Mullerian duct develops into female reproductive tract

Question 2

What cell type makes the ovarian surface epithelium, or mesothelium?

Answer 2

Simple cuboidal

Question 3

What cell type makes the tunica albuginea of the ovary?

Answer 3

Connective tissue

Question 4

What are the two parts of the ovary?

Answer 4

Medulla
- Connective tissue
- Blood vessels
- Lymphatics
- Nerves
Cortex
- Follicles at different stages

Question 5

What is the functional unit of the ovaries?

Answer 5

Follicle, comparable to seminiferous tubules of testes

Question 6

What are the functions of the ovarian surface epithelium?

Answer 6

Wound healing after ovulation

Possible source of cancer stem cells

Question 7

What cells make up the follicles?

Answer 7

Oocyte

Granulosa cells

Question 8

What is the structure of the follicle, from centre to periphery?

Answer 8

Oocyte
Zona pellucida = specialised extracellular matrix
- Glycoprotein layer
Granulosa cells = supporting cells
Theca cells = steroidogenic cells

Question 9

Describe the secondary follicle

Answer 9

Continued growth
Between granulosa cells spaced filled with follicular fluid
Spaces willl merge to form antrum
Theca layer develops into theca interna and theca externa
- Theca interna = inner vascular layer with cuboidal steroidogenic cells
- Theca externa = connective tissue layer with some squamous and smooth muscle cells
Zona pellucida and granulosa cells thicken

Question 10

Describe the Graafian (pre-ovulatory) follicle

Answer 10

Mature follicle with large antrun
Cumulus oophorus = granulosa cells surrounding oocyte
Inner single layer = corona radiata
- Around oocyte
- Also ovulated with oocyte
Luteinising hormone surge from pituitary > oocyte completes meiosis I > secondary oocyte

Question 11

Describe the corpus luteum

Answer 11

After ovulation, remaining granulosa and theca cells transform into corpus luteum
Yellow, due to lipid content
Granulosa lutein cells
- Large, pale cytoplasm
- Produce progesterone
Theca lutein cells
- Smaller
- Produce progesterone and androgens
Degenerates after 10-14 days in absence of fertilisation > corpus albicans
If fertilisation occurs corpus luteum remains active for 6 monthd

Question 12

Describe follicle atresia

Answer 12

Immature follicles degenerate and reabsorbed
Around 20 follicles mature each month, but only 1 ovulates
Remaining undergo atresia
- Apoptotic granulosa cells
- Oocyte lost quickly
- Zona pellucida thickens
- Turns into hyalinised connective tissue mass = corpus fibrosum

Question 13

What are the four regions of the Fallopian tubes?

Answer 13

Infundibulum = funnel-shaped opening with fimbriae
Ampulla = relatively large, labyrinthine lumen
Isthmus = narrow portion
Intramural portion = terminal segment, inside uterine wall

Question 14

Where does fertilisation occur?

Answer 14

In ampulla of Fallopian tube

Question 15

What are the layers of the Fallopian tube?

Answer 15

Mucosa
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Lamina propria
Muscularis
- Inner circular smooth muscle
- Outer longitudinal smooth muscle
Serosa
- Outer loose supporting tissue
- Contains blood and lymphatic vessels

Question 16

What makes up the epithelium of the Fallopian tube?

Answer 16

Ciliated cells: help sweep oocyte towards uterus

Peg cells: nutrient-rich secretion to nourish and protect oocyte and promote fertilisation

Question 17

How many layers make up the myometrium?

Answer 17

3
Smooth muscle
Collagen
Elastic fibres

Question 18

What happens to the myometrium during pregnancy?

Answer 18

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia

Question 19

Describe the endometrium

Answer 19

Inner, glandular mucosa
Surface epithelium
Simple, tubular uterine glands within stroma of connective tissue
Stratum basalis = reserve tissue
- Regenerates upper 2/3
Stratum functionalis
- Near lumen
- Cyclic growth, degeneration, and loss of tissue during menstrual cycle

Question 20

What happens during the menstrual phase of the uterine cycle?

Answer 20

Stratum functionalis sloughs off because of ischaemia and necrosis caused by contraction of coiled arteries

Question 21

What happens during the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle?

Answer 21

Epithelium, uterine glands, and connective tissue of stratum functionalis proliferate
Uterine glands straight with narrow lumen
Surface of endometrium smooth

Question 22

What epithelial cell type makes up the endometrial glands?

Answer 22

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Numerous mitotic cells

Question 23

What happens during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

Answer 23

Shortly after ovulation
Endometrium at its thickest
Uterine glands coiled with large sacculated lumen
Coiled arteries extend transiently from stratum basalis to functionalis

Question 24

What is the cell type lining the surface of the endocervix?

Answer 24

Simple columnar epithelium

Question 25

What is the cell type lining the surface of the ectocervix?

Answer 25

Stratified squamous epithelium

Question 26

Are the glands of the cervix branched or unbranched?

Answer 26

Branched

Question 27

What is the cervical stroma made of?

Answer 27

Dense connective tissue with some smooth muscle