Histology Flashcards
The outer ‘shell’ of the cortex of the ovary is a dense connective tissue layer called the ________ ___________
tunica albuginea
the tunica albuginea is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells called the __________ ______________
germinal epithelium
what are oogonia?
female gamete mother cells, which are diploid cells
what is oogenesis
development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia
what is folliculogenesis?
growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells
how many germ cells are present in female at birth?
1,000,000 primary oocytes
pre-antral vs antral follicles
pre-antral - primordial, primary or late-primary follicle
antral - secondary follicle or mature Graafian follicle
what are pregranulosa cells?
follicle cells
what is the theca folliculi
the outer layer of cells of a Graafian follicle
what does the theca interna secrete?
oestrogen precursors which will be converted to oestrogen by the granulosa cells (GC)
what size can graafian follicles reach?
about 20mm in diameter
after ovulation, what does the follicle transform into?
a corpus luteum
what happens to the corpus luteum if the egg does not undergo fertilisation?
It will stop secreting progesterone and will decay and turn into a corpus albicans
what prevents decay of the corpus luteum in the case of fertilisation?
the placenta secretes HCG
how does the ovum move down the uterine tube?
propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by the ciliated epithelium
histology of the ampulla of the uterine tube
The mucosa is highly folded and lined by simple columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and secretory cells. This is surrounded by smooth muscle (SM).
histology of the isthmus of the uterine tube
The lining epithelium here is mostly secretory with few ciliated cells
how many smooth muscle layers does the myometrium have?
3
the endometrium is divided into the:
- Stratum Functionalis
- Stratum Basalis
what happens to the glands in the uterus during the secretory phase?
become coiled with a corkscrew appearance and secrete glycogen
what happens in the menstrual phase that results in the tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and tissue sloughing?
arterioles in the stratum functionalis of the endometrium undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing ischemia
where are endocervical glands found?
cervix
what do the endocervical glands secrete?
mucus
if endocervical glands become blocked, what can form?
Nabothian cyst
what are the 4 layers of the vagina?
- Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Fibromuscular layer
- Adventitia
Why is the Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium layer of the vagina thicker during reproductive years?
this layer is thicker and cells are enlarged due to glycogen accumulation
Are there glands in the wall of the vagina?
no
how is the vagina lubricated?
mucous from the cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of the lamina propria
what inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina?
Commensal bacteria metabolize the glycogen to lactic acid
what is found in labia majora
- apocrine sweat glands
- sebaceous glands
- small bundles of smooth muscle
- Hair follicles on the outer surface, but not the inner
Labia minora:
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.
how many lobes make up the secretory tissue of the breast?
15-25
what is is the basic functional secretory unit of the breast?
The Terminal Duct Lobular Unit (TDLU)
Terminal Duct Lobular Unit (TDLU) journey of secretion
terminal ductules (aka acini) —> intralobular collecting duct —> lactiferous duct —-> nipple
what type of epithelium are larger ducts, such as a lactiferous duct, lined by?
an epithelium that varies from a thin stratified squamous to stratified cuboidal
what epithelium covers the nipple?
thin, highly pigmented keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
how many lactiferous ducts serve one lobe of the breast?
1
what breast changes occur during the luteal phase in the menstrual cycle?
the epithelial cells increase in height, the lumina of the ducts becomes enlarged and small amounts of secretions appear in the ducts.
what breast changes take place in the first trimester?
there is elongation and branching of the smaller ducts, combined with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the glands and the myoepithelial cells.
what breast changes take place in the second trimester?
glandular tissue continues to develop with differentiation of secretory alveoli. Also, plasma cells and lymphocytes infiltrate the nearby connective tissue.
what breast changes occur in the third trimester?
secretory alveoli continue to mature, with development of extensive rER.
