Histology Flashcards
After the descent of the ovary, the gubernaculum becomes the ___________________.
Ovarian ligament and round ligament
The round ligament attaches to which structures?
Labia majora (through inguinal canal) and uterus
True or false: The suspensory ligaments of the ovary are parts of the gubernaculum.
False.
They are peritoneal folds that contain the ovarian vessels
What is the surface of the ovary called and what is it composed of?
Tunica albuginea
- composed of connective tissue fibres and fusiform cells between
What is the function of the ovarian stroma?
1) Structural support
2) Microenvironment for development and function of ovarian follicles
What are the 5 components of an ovary?
Superficial to deep:
1) Tunica albuginea
- connective tissue + fusiform cells
2) Hilum
- entry/exit of vessels
3) Cortex
- ovarian follicles
4) Stroma
- in outer cortex and inner medulla
- structural support + ovarian follicle microenvironment
5) Medulla
- loose connective tissue, abundant vasculature, lymphatics and innervation
The primordial germ cells are precursors to the gametes that originate in the _____________ then migrate to the _________________ where they undergo multiple mitotic divisions.
Yolk sac wall near allantois → through dorsal mesentery → genital ridge → undergo mitotic divisions
The tunica albuginea of the ovaries are covered by _________________ which is composed of ________ cells.
Germinal epithelium
- simple squamous layer
- visceral peritoneum that covers ovaries
True or false: The germinal epithelium of the ovaries give rise to germ cell.
False.
What is the histological appearance of a primordial follicle?
Primary oocyte surrounded by single layer of flattened cells
What is the histological appearance of a primary follicle?
Deep to superficial:
1) Primary oocyte
2) Zona pellucida
- thick homogenous layer of glycoprotein and acid proteoglycans
3) Multiple layers of Follicular cells
4) Theca cells
- outermost stromal cells
- synthesises androgens
What is the most common site for ovarian cancers?
Germinal epithelium (90%)
Which layer of the ovary contain species-specific receptors for spermatozoa?
Zona pellucida
What is the histological appearance of a secondary follicle?
Superficial to deep:
1) Primary oocyte
2) Antrum
- fluid-filled follicular lumen
3) Inner granulosa cells
4) Outer theca cells
What is the histological appearance of a graafian/mature follicle?
1) Primary oocyte off-center
2) Zona pellucida
3) Corona radiata
4) Cumulus oophorus (crowded granulosa cells)
5) Follicular antrum
6) Outer granulosa cells
What is the histological appearance of a Corpus albicans?
White scar tissue on the surface of the ovary
What is the appearance of the corpus albicans on ultrasound?
Small, lobulated, hyperechogenic intra-ovarian lesion
What is the largest and longest part of the fallopian tube?
Ampulla
What is the histological appearance of the fallopian tube?
Lumen to basal:
1) Mucosa lined by simple columnar epithelium
- mucosa have multiple longitudinal folds
2) Well defined inner circular, outer longitudinal muscular layer
3) Outer serosa layer
The oviduct epithelium consists of 2 important cell types:
i) _______________________
ii) _______________________
i) Ciliated cells
- ciliary movement aids in movement of ovum toward uterus
ii) Secretory (peg) cells
- non-ciliated often dark stained cells
- secretes glycoproteins for the ovum’s nutrition
What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?
1) Endometrium
- inner most
- lined by simple columnar epithelium
- numerous tubular glands
2) Myometrium
- middle layer
- highly vascularised, thick, smooth muscular layer in poorly-defined layers w bundles of fibres interwoven in varying directions
- induces uterine contractions
3) Perimetrium
- outer connective tissue
- some parts adventitial, others serosal
What are the layers of the endometrium?
1) Stratum functionale
- proliferates, secretes then sheds during menstrual cycle
2) Stratum basale
- closer to myometrium
- does not shed, regenerates endometrium for next menstrual cycle
True or false. The layers of the endometrium are separated by a basal membrane.
False.
There is no discrete border between the 2 layers, but can be differentiated as stromal tissue is more cellular than basal layer
Describe the arterial supply of the endometrium.
Bilateral uterine arteries penetrate myometrium
→ Circumferential arcuate arteries → branch
→ radial arteries → transverse myometrium
→ spiral arteries + basal arteries in endometrium