Female Reproductive System Histology

Question 1

Which area of the ovary contains the follicles?

Answer 1

(outer) Cortex

Question 2

Which area of the ovary contains the vasculature, connective tissue, nerves and lymphatics?

Answer 2

(inner) Medulla

Question 3

What is the name of the superficial, white fibrous cortex?

Answer 3

Tunica Albuginea

Question 4

Which type of epithelium is found in the ovary?

Answer 4

Cuboidal - NOT squamous

Question 5

What is the sequence in which an ovum is produced?

Answer 5

1) Germ cells from yolk sac
2) Mitosis to form oogonia
3) Meiosis to form oocyte

Question 6

What is an oogonium? (plr. oogonia)

Answer 6

An immature female reproductive cell that gives rise to primary oocytes by mitosis.

Question 7

What is oogenesis?

Answer 7

The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia.

Question 8

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 8

Growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells.

Question 9

What is the name of the process which results in loss of oogonia and oocytes by apoptosis?

Answer 9

Atresia

Question 10

AT what stage of meiosis do oocytes halt their development?

Answer 10

Prophase I

Question 11

What are the squamous cells around the oocyte called?

Answer 11

Pregranulosa Cells

Question 12

What change occurs to the pregranulosa cells to suggest the oocyte is becoming active?

Answer 12

They become cuboidal.

Question 13

Stroma cells which associate with the outside of the follicles go on to form what?

Answer 13

Theca

Question 14

What are stromal cells?

Answer 14

Connective tissue cells which support the function of an organ.

Question 15

Which structure forms between the oocyte and the granulosa cells in the follicle?

Answer 15

Zona Pellucida

Question 16

How does the theca layer develop?

Answer 16

Forms 2 layers:
Theca interna - secretes oestrogen precursors which are converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells
Theca externa - remain similar to fibroblasts

Question 17

Other than releasing hormones, what is different about the theca interna compared to the externa?

Answer 17

Theca interna is highly vascularised.

Question 18

What is the name of the large area which starts to form in the granulosa layer?

Answer 18

Antrum

Question 19

What is the name of the strip of cells which separate the ovum from the antrum?

Answer 19

Cumulus Cells

Question 20

What is the name for the follicle once it has reached its maximum size?

Answer 20

Graafian follicles

Question 21

As the antrum enlarges and engulf the oocyte, what does the strip of cumulus cells become?

Answer 21

Corona radiata (surround ovum)

Question 22

After ovulation, what does the follicle become?

Answer 22

Corpus Luteum

Question 23

What doe the theca and granulosa cells release int he corpus luteum?

Answer 23

Oestrogen and Progesterone

Question 24

If implantation does NOT occur, what does the corpus luteum become as it degenerates?

Answer 24

Corpus Albicans

Question 25

If implantation does occur, what is released from the placenta and what effect does it have on the corpus luteum?

Answer 25

hCG, preventing degeneration of corpus luteum so it can continue to produce progesterone.

Question 26

What are the areas of the uterine tubes - from distal to proximal?

Answer 26

Fimbria
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Interstitial part

Question 27

At what area is fertilisation most likely to occur?

Answer 27

Ampulla

Question 28

Describe the muscosa of the ampulla of the uterine tube.

Answer 28

Folded & lined by simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory cells.

Question 29

Describe the mucosa of the isthmus of the uterine tube.

Answer 29

Mostly secretory with few ciliated cells.

Question 30

What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall from internal to external?

Answer 30

Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium

Question 31

Describe the mucosa of the endometrium.

Answer 31

Tubular secretory glands embedded in a connective tissue stroma.

Question 32

What are the layers of the endometrium?

Answer 32

Stratum Funcitonalis - undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss

Stratum Basalis - a reserve tissue which regenerates the functionalis.

Question 33

How might the endometrial glands be distinguished histologically?

Answer 33

Coiled, corkscrew appearance, secreting glycogen.

Question 34

What process causes the stratum functionalism to slough off?

Answer 34

Arterial vasospasm and constriction causing ischaemia and breakdown.

Question 35

What kind of epithelium is found on the vaginal surface of the cervix?

Answer 35

Stratified squamous

Question 36

What kind of epithelium is found int he extra-vaginal cervix?

Answer 36

Mucous-secreting simple columnar epithelium.

Question 37

What are the 4 layers of the vaginal epithelium?

Answer 37

1) Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
2) Lamina propria
3) Fibromuscular layer
4) Adventitia

Question 38

What is found in the lamina propria?

Answer 38

Elastic connective tissue and thin-walled blood vessels?

Question 39

What is the benefit of thin-walled vessels?

Answer 39

Leakage of fluid to lubricate the vagina.

Question 40

What structures are found in the labia majora?

Answer 40

Stratified squamous, non-keratinised epithelium
Sebaceous Glands
Sebaceous Ducts
Smooth muscle bundles
Oblique hair follicles (outer surface only)

Question 41

What structures are found int he labia minora?

Answer 41

Keratinised epithelium extending into the opening of the vagina
Vasculature
Sebaceous glands

Question 42

What tissue is found int he clitoris?

Answer 42

2 tubes of erectile vascular tissue (corpora cavernosa) covered by fibrocollagenous sheath, covered by skin with rich innervation and a thin epidermis.