Female reproductive system histology Flashcards
What are the 2 functions of the ovary?
Produce gametes Produce steroids (mainly oestrogens and progesterone)
What is the structure of the ovary?
Medulla and cortex
Secondary follicles develop a space inside of them that defines them. What are they called?
The space is called an antrum
They are therefore called Antrum follicles
What is the name of the collages tissue that forms a white coat on the outside of the ovary?
Cortex
What is the outer shell of the cortex called?
Tunica Albuginea
What is the single layer of cuboidal cells that cover the tunica albuginea called?
Germinal Epithelium
At what week of development do germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia?
Week 6
What is oogensis?
The development of oocytes from oogonia
What is atresia?
Loss of germ cells
What percentage of oogonia will be remaining at birth?
1/5
TRUE/FALSE
Before birth, meiosis begins in the oocytes but halts at prophase
TRUE
If the oocyte undergoes further development meiosis will restart
What is the diameter of a mature graffian follicle?
2cm
TRUE/FALSE
If the oocyte fails to associate with pregranulosa cells (follicle cells) it will die
TRUE
The pregranulosa cells are squamous but if the follicle enters the growth phase there will become ——-
Cuboidal
In a primary follicle, stromal cells are associating with the outside of the follicle and will go on to form —- ——-
Theca Folliculi
What forms between the oocytes and granulosa cells?
Zona pellucida
TRUE/FALSE
Theca interna is more vascularised and dense (than external) as becoming endocrine tissue
TRUE
Theca interna secrete what?
oestrogen precursors (which will go on to be converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells)
What cells convert oestrogen precursors to oestrogen?
Granulosa cells
What is the Corpus Oophorus?
Attach the oocyte to one edge
One day before ovulation the oocyte in the largest graffian follicle will complete meiosis 1 but instead of producing two equal size cells it will produce one cell called a ——– ——–
Secondary follicle
Once the secondary oocyte if formed it then immediately completes meiosis TRUE/FALSE
False
it will begin the second phase of meiosis but stop at metaphase II
When does the secondary oocyte complete meiosis and become fully mature?
Only once it has been release (ovulation) and fertilised by a sperm
What is the name of the granulosa cells that directly surround the oocyte?
Corona Radiata
if implantation occurs what does the placenta secrete and what does this do?
Placenta secretes HCG- this prevents degradation of the corpus luteum, which therefore maintains progesterone levels so maintains the preganancy
TRUE/FALSE
The infundibulum moves so that it is adjacent to the site where the follicle ruptures
TRUE
How does the ovum move down the tube?
Propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by the ciliated epithelium
What does the mucosa look like in the ampulla of the uterine tube?
Mucosa is highly folded
What is the ampulla lined by?
Simple columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and secretory cells
TRUE/FALSE
There are 2 layers of smooth muscle in the ampulla and 3 layers in the isthmus
TRUE
What are the 3 layers of the uterus?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
What does the endometrium of the uterus made up of?
Tubular secretory glands, embedded in a connective tissue stroma
What are the two layers that the endometrium can be divided up into?
Stratum functionalis
Stratum basalis
Which layer of the endometrium undergoes monthly growth , degeneration and loss?
Stratum functionalis
During the secretory phase the glands become coiled with a corkscrew appearance and secrete ——-
Glycogen
During the menstural phase the stratum functionalists undergo ———
Constriction (causing ischaemia)
The cervix is mostly fibrous connective tissue covered by stratified ——- epithelium on its vaginal surface
Squamous
What is the most common site of dysplasia in the cervix?
Transition zone
Cervical gland secretion vary. When is it thick and viscous?
Following ovulation (to prevent passage of sperm)
WHEN IS THE CERVICAL GLAND SECRETION THIN AND WATERY?
in the proliferative phase- in order to allow passage of sperm
If the outlets of the cervical glands are blocked, what is formed?
Nabothian cyst
What are the 4 layers of the vagina?
1-Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
2- Lamina propria
3-Fibromuscular layer
4-Adventicia
Why is the epithelium of the vagina thicker in reproductive years?
Due to glycogen accumulation
TRUE/FALSE
The vagina has the most glands contained within its walls than any other part of the body
FALSE
There are no glands in the wall of the vagina
Lubricated by the mucous from the cervical glands
How do commensal bacteria inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria?
Metabolise the glycogen to lactic acid
What is mons pubis?
Skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles overlying a subset fat pad (which overlies the pubic symphysis)
TRUE/FALSE
The labia majora is an extension of the mons pubis
TRUE
TRUE/FALSE
The labia minor is rich is apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands and with small bundles of smooth muscle
FALSE
This describes the labia majora
The labia minor lacks subcut fat and hair follicles. Rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands that secrete directly onto the surface of the skin)
What is the level of vagina that the epithelium extends to
Level of the hymen
What is the transition that occurs at the hymen?
Transition from keratinised epithelium to non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What does the clitoris contain?
Two tubes of erectile vascular tissue
