Histology Flashcards
what do the ovaries produce?
gametes
steroids (oestrogen and progesterone)
what does the medulla of the ovary contain?
loose connective tissue
contorted arteries
veins
lymphatics
what does the cortex of the ovary contain?
scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma
outer shell is dense connective tissue called the tunica albuginea covered by the germinal epithelium
what is the tunica albuginea?
outer shell of the follicle
dense connective tissue
what covers the tunica albuginea?
single layer of cuboidal cells called germinal epithelium
what supplies the ovary?
group of helicine arteries enter the hilum from the broad ligament
what is folliculogenesis?
growth of the follicle
what does the follicle consist of?
oocyte and associated support cells
what is atresia?
loss of oocytes by apoptosis
what are the pre-antral follicles?
primordial follicle
primary follicle
late primary follicle
what are the antral follicles?
secondary follicle
Graafian follicle
what does the primordial follicle look like?
arrested follicle that may develop further or become atresic
surrounded oocyte by pregranulosa cells (squamous)
what does the primary follicle look like?
cuboidal granulosa cells (zona granulosa)
oocyte enlarges and the zona pellucida forms between the oocyte and granulosa cells
what does the late primary follicle look like?
granulosa cell proliferates to form theca interna and outer layer becomes theca externa
what does the theca interna do?
secretes oestrogen precursors which are converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells
role of granulosa cells?
convert oestrogen precursors to oestrogen
what does the secondary follicle look like?
space called the antrum is filled with follicular fluid and enlarges in the granulosa cell layer
what does the Graafian follicle look like?
largest antral follicle
what happens to the Graafian follicle one day before ovulation?
oocyte in the largest Graafian follicle completes meiosis I and produces a secondary oocyte and one tiny polar body that carries the second nucleus away to degenerate
what is follicle stigma?
indicates immediate rupture of the follicle as one part of the wall thins to allow release of the oocyte and granulosa cells that surround it
what happens to the follicle after ovulation?
transforms into the corpus luteum with theca and granulosa cells secreting oestrogen and progesterone
what happens to the corpus luteum if no implantation occurs?
becomes the corpus albicans
what happens to the corpus luteum if implantation occurs?
placenta secretes HCG and progesterone preventing degeneration
how does the ovum move through the fallopian tubes?
propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by ciliated epithelium
lining of the ampulla
high folded mucosa lined by simple columnar epithelium
how many layers of smooth muscle are there at the ampulla?
2
how many layers of smooth muscle are there at the isthmus?
3
three layers of the uterus wall
endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium
what is the endometrium
inner secretory mucosa made of tubular secretory glands embedded in connective tissue (much is shed during menstruation)
what is the myometrium?
3 layers of smooth muscle combined with collagen and elastic tissue
what is the perimetrium?
visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium
two parts of the endometrium
- stratum functionalis
2. stratum basalis
what is the stratum functionalis
part of the endometrium that undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss
what is the stratum basalis?
reserve tissue that regenerates functionalis
three phases of the menstrual cycle
- proliferative phase
- secretory phase
- menstrual phase
what is the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle?
stratum basalis grows due to oestrogen until 1 day after ovulation
what is the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?
glands secrete glycogen
what is the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?
arterioles in the stratum functionalis undergo constriction causing ischaemia
tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and tissue sloughing
lining of the cervix
short cylinder with fibrous connective tissue covered by stratified squamous epithelium that transitions to simple columnar towards the uterus
secretions during the proliferative phase
thin and watery to allow passage of sperm
secretions post-ovulation
thick and viscous to prevent sperm and microorganisms
what does blockage of the secretory glands cause?
Nabothian cyst
four layers of the vagina
- stratified squamous epithelium
- lamina propria
- fibromuscular layer
- adventitia
what is the lamina propria made up of?
connective tissue with elastic fibres and thin-walled blood vessels
what does the fibromusuclar layer consist of?
inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle
how do commensal bacteria prevent pathogenic bacteria?
metabolise glycogen to lactic acid inhibiting growth of bacteria
