Histology Flashcards
Name the 2 functions of the ovary
Produce gametes (oogenesis) Produce steroids (oestrogen + progesterone)
what is contained in the medulla of the ovary
It is the core of the ovary
Contains loose connective tissue, arteries, veins and lymphatics
Describe the structure of the cortex of the ovary
Has an outer shell called the tunica albuginea
This is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells (germinal epithelium/)
At what stage of development are oogonia formed
week 6
How are oogonia formed
Germ cells from yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis – oogonia
how do oogonia become oocytes (ova)
undergo development and division by meiosis
define oogenesis
development of oocytes from oogonia
define atresia
loss of oogonia and oocytes by apoptosis
define folliculogenesis
growth of the follicle- consists of oocyte + support cells
what happens if an oocyte fails to associate with a pregranulosa cell
it dies
what are pregranulosa cells
follicle cells
what cell type are pregranulosa cells before and after the growth phase
squamous cells pre growth phase
cuboidal cells once they enter growth phase
what is the primary follicle
cuboidal granulosa cells
what is the theca folliculi
the structure formed when stromal cells associate with the primary follicle
what is the zona pellucida
special layer of extracellular matrix between oocyte + granulosa cells
what does the inner layer of the theca folliculi become
theca interna
what does the theca interna secrete
oestrogen precursors
which cells convert oestrogen precursors to oestrogen
granulosa cells