Histology of Female Repro Tract Flashcards
1) Learn structure and function of internal components of female reproductive tract 2) Understand gametogenesis in female/ compare and contrast to male gametogenesis 3) Learn WHERE fertilization takes place 4) Learn structure and function of mammary gland when inactive and during pregnancy and lactation
What are the 2 structural areas of the ovary?
1) Cortical region: where ovarian follicles reside
2) Medullary region: contain rich vascular bed and loose cellular connective tissue
How does stromal cell morphology differ between primordial and primary follicles?
Primordial: oocyte surrounded by ONE SINLGE layer of SIMPLE SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM
Primary: oocyte surrounded by 2-3 layers of CUBOIDAL EPITHELIUM
When is the 2nd polar body extruded?
Not until after fertilization.
What’s the fibrous layer that surrounds the ovary? What does it contain?
Tunica albuginea - same as in the testis. Contains collagen and elastin
Is the follicle vascularized?
No. (it has a basement membrane)
When does the zona pellucida appear? What is the zona pellucida?
In the primary follicle.
ZP is a thick layer of glycoprotein- is in between the oocyte and the granulosa cells
When do the zona granulosum and follicular antrum appear?
In the secondary follicle.
What are the two outermost cell layers of the secondary follicle? What does each do?
Theca interna: secretes androstenedione (converted to estradiol by follicular cells)
Theca externa: connective tissue, capsule-like layer.
What definitively marks the transition to a Graafian follicle?
Completion of first meiotic division, with extrusion of the first polar body. (it arrests before completing 2nd meiotic division)
Histological features of the Graafian follicle?
Large fluid-filled antrum with corona radiata cells surrounding the oocyte.
Histological marker of advanced atresia (follicle degeneration)?
Thickened basement membrane between theca interna and rest of follicular cells - “glassy membrane”
What are 2 types of endocrine cells in the corpus luteum? What does each make?
(Histological difference?)
1) Follicular lutein - secretes estrogen and progesterone
2) Theca lutein - secretes androgen precursors and progesterone
(Theca lutein cells have a pinker cytoplasm?)
What cells become follicular lutein cells?
Follicular / granulosa cells
What cells become theca lutein cells?
Theca interna cells.
What happens to the corpus luteum if pregnancy doesn’t happen?
Corpus albicans formation (scar of dense connective tissue)–> appears white
Review review: Where in the oviduct does fertilization usually take place?
In the ampulla.
What’s the inside of the oviduct like?
Folded with mucosa with a branching vascular core.
Two types of cells in the oviduct epithelium? What is the job of each?
Ciliated: Move ovum along.
Non-ciliated/secretory: Secrete stuff to nourish ovum and sperm.
What are the 3 layers of the uterus?
1) Outer serosa / adventitia
2) Myometrium
3) Endometrium
What are the 2 layers of the endometrium? Which is maintained after menstruation?
1) Functionalis
2) Basalis (maintained)
3 changes to the myometrium during pregnancy?
1) Hyperplasia
2) Hypertrophy
3) Increased collagen
3 phases of the endometrium’s cycle? Characteristics of each? With what hormone is each correlated?
Proliferative - proliferation, glands growing - estrogen
Secretive - glycogen-rich secretion - progesterone
Menstruation - absence of estrogen/progesterone
3 layers of the vagina?
Mucosa
Muscular (longitudinal smooth muscle)
Adventitia (dense CT)
Does the vagina make its own mucus?
Nope, it doesn’t have such glands. It gets it from the uterine cervix.
When do the glands of the breast really start to proliferate?
Pregnancy.
How do lipid droplets get out into the milk?
They’re released as membrane-bound droplets.
2 notable proteins in milk?
Caseins, alpha-lactalbumin
What does breast tissue look like histology when lactating?
Alveoli are distended with milk…. which isn’t too surprising.
Other than secretory epithelium, what other type of cells are in the alveoli / ducts of breast tissue?
Myoepithelium.
When does the theca folliculi develop? What is it and what does it further differentiate into?
Theca folliculi develops in the primary oocyte. TF is a cellular layer that develops from stroma. Develops into 2 zones- theca interna and theca externs
What is the difference between theca interna and theca externa?
Theca interna: richly vascularized–> make adrogenic steroids–> get converted to testosterone and then to estradiol by the granulosa cells
Theca externa: consists mostly of connective tissue- continuous with ovarian stroma
