Female Reproductive System Histology Flashcards
What happens when there’s no testosterone and anit-Mullerian hormone?
Wolffian duct degenerates
Mullerian duct develops into female reproductive tract
What cell type makes the ovarian surface epithelium, or mesothelium?
Simple cuboidal
What cell type makes the tunica albuginea of the ovary?
Connective tissue
What are the two parts of the ovary?
Medulla - Connective tissue - Blood vessels - Lymphatics - Nerves Cortex - Follicles at different stages
What is the functional unit of the ovaries?
Follicle, comparable to seminiferous tubules of testes
What are the functions of the ovarian surface epithelium?
Wound healing after ovulation
Possible source of cancer stem cells
What cells make up the follicles?
Oocyte
Granulosa cells
What is the structure of the follicle, from centre to periphery?
Oocyte Zona pellucida = specialised extracellular matrix - Glycoprotein layer Granulosa cells = supporting cells Theca cells = steroidogenic cells
Describe the secondary follicle
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
Describe the Graafian (pre-ovulatory) follicle
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
Describe the corpus luteum
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
Describe follicle atresia
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
What are the four regions of the Fallopian tubes?
Infundibulum = funnel-shaped opening with fimbriae
Ampulla = relatively large, labyrinthine lumen
Isthmus = narrow portion
Intramural portion = terminal segment, inside uterine wall
Where does fertilisation occur?
In ampulla of Fallopian tube
What are the layers of the Fallopian tube?
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
What makes up the epithelium of the Fallopian tube?
Ciliated cells: help sweep oocyte towards uterus
Peg cells: nutrient-rich secretion to nourish and protect oocyte and promote fertilisation
How many layers make up the myometrium?
3
Smooth muscle
Collagen
Elastic fibres
What happens to the myometrium during pregnancy?
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia
Describe the endometrium
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
What happens during the menstrual phase of the uterine cycle?
Stratum functionalis sloughs off because of ischaemia and necrosis caused by contraction of coiled arteries
What happens during the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle?
Epithelium, uterine glands, and connective tissue of stratum functionalis proliferate
Uterine glands straight with narrow lumen
Surface of endometrium smooth
What epithelial cell type makes up the endometrial glands?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Numerous mitotic cells
What happens during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?
Shortly after ovulation
Endometrium at its thickest
Uterine glands coiled with large sacculated lumen
Coiled arteries extend transiently from stratum basalis to functionalis
What is the cell type lining the surface of the endocervix?
Simple columnar epithelium
What is the cell type lining the surface of the ectocervix?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Are the glands of the cervix branched or unbranched?
Branched
What is the cervical stroma made of?
Dense connective tissue with some smooth muscle
