Histology

Question 1

The outer ‘shell’ of the cortex of the ovary is a dense connective tissue layer called the ________ ___________

Answer 1

tunica albuginea

Question 2

the tunica albuginea is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells called the __________ ______________

Answer 2

germinal epithelium

Question 3

what are oogonia?

Answer 3

female gamete mother cells, which are diploid cells

Question 4

what is oogenesis

Answer 4

development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia

Question 5

what is folliculogenesis?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

how many germ cells are present in female at birth?

Answer 6

1,000,000 primary oocytes

Question 7

pre-antral vs antral follicles

Answer 7

pre-antral - primordial, primary or late-primary follicle

antral - secondary follicle or mature Graafian follicle

Question 8

what are pregranulosa cells?

Answer 8

follicle cells

Question 9

what is the theca folliculi

Answer 9

the outer layer of cells of a Graafian follicle

Question 10

what does the theca interna secrete?

Answer 10

oestrogen precursors which will be converted to oestrogen by the granulosa cells (GC)

Question 11

what size can graafian follicles reach?

Answer 11

about 20mm in diameter

Question 12

after ovulation, what does the follicle transform into?

Answer 12

a corpus luteum

Question 13

what happens to the corpus luteum if the egg does not undergo fertilisation?

Answer 13

It will stop secreting progesterone and will decay and turn into a corpus albicans

Question 14

what prevents decay of the corpus luteum in the case of fertilisation?

Answer 14

the placenta secretes HCG

Question 15

how does the ovum move down the uterine tube?

Answer 15

propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by the ciliated epithelium

Question 16

histology of the ampulla of the uterine tube

Answer 16

The mucosa is highly folded and lined by simple columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and secretory cells. This is surrounded by smooth muscle (SM).

Question 17

histology of the isthmus of the uterine tube

Answer 17

The lining epithelium here is mostly secretory with few ciliated cells

Question 18

how many smooth muscle layers does the myometrium have?

Answer 18

3

Question 19

the endometrium is divided into the:

Answer 19

• Stratum Functionalis
• Stratum Basalis

Question 20

what happens to the glands in the uterus during the secretory phase?

Answer 20

become coiled with a corkscrew appearance and secrete glycogen

Question 21

what happens in the menstrual phase that results in the tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and tissue sloughing?

Answer 21

arterioles in the stratum functionalis of the endometrium undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing ischemia

Question 22

where are endocervical glands found?

Answer 22

cervix

Question 23

what do the endocervical glands secrete?

Answer 23

mucus

Question 24

if endocervical glands become blocked, what can form?

Answer 24

Nabothian cyst

Question 25

what are the 4 layers of the vagina?

Answer 25

1. Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
2. Lamina propria
3. Fibromuscular layer
4. Adventitia

Question 26

Why is the Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium layer of the vagina thicker during reproductive years?

Answer 26

this layer is thicker and cells are enlarged due to glycogen accumulation

Question 27

Are there glands in the wall of the vagina?

Answer 27

no

Question 28

how is the vagina lubricated?

Answer 28

mucous from the cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of the lamina propria

Question 29

what inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina?

Answer 29

Commensal bacteria metabolize the glycogen to lactic acid

Question 30

what is found in labia majora

Answer 30

• apocrine sweat glands
• sebaceous glands
• small bundles of smooth muscle
• Hair follicles on the outer surface, but not the inner

Question 31

Labia minora:

Answer 31

Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles, but are rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands that secrete directly onto the surface of the skin.

Question 32

how many lobes make up the secretory tissue of the breast?

Answer 32

15-25

Question 33

what is is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?

Answer 33

The Terminal Duct Lobular Unit (TDLU)

Question 34

Terminal Duct Lobular Unit (TDLU) journey of secretion

Answer 34

terminal ductules (aka acini) —> intralobular collecting duct —> lactiferous duct —-> nipple

Question 35

what type of epithelium are larger ducts, such as a lactiferous duct, lined by?

Answer 35

an epithelium that varies from a thin stratified squamous to stratified cuboidal

Question 36

what epithelium covers the nipple?

Answer 36

thin, highly pigmented keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 37

how many lactiferous ducts serve one lobe of the breast?

Answer 37

1

Question 38

what breast changes occur during the luteal phase in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 38

the epithelial cells increase in height, the lumina of the ducts becomes enlarged and small amounts of secretions appear in the ducts.

Question 39

what breast changes take place in the first trimester?

Answer 39

there is elongation and branching of the smaller ducts, combined with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the glands and the myoepithelial cells.

Question 40

what breast changes take place in the second trimester?

Answer 40

glandular tissue continues to develop with differentiation of secretory alveoli. Also, plasma cells and lymphocytes infiltrate the nearby connective tissue.

Question 41

what breast changes occur in the third trimester?

Answer 41

secretory alveoli continue to mature, with development of extensive rER.