histology of female reproductive system- lecture Flashcards
orange= uterus
black= cervix
green= vagina
red= ovary
blue= uterine tube
functions of ovaries?
2 related functions:
-produce gametes (termed oogenesis in females)
-produce steroids, mainly oestrogen and progesterone
what is the ovary structure made out of?
medulla and cortex
where is the medulla of the ovary found?
in the core of the organ
what is the medulla of the ovary continuous with?
the hilum of the ovary
what is the medulla made out of in the ovary?
loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics
what does the cortex of the ovaries contain?
-follicles and connective tissue with stromal cells and scattered smooth muscle fibres
what is the outer shell of the cortex made out of?
The outer ‘shell’ is made out of dense connective tissue layer called the tunica albuginea which is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells called the germinal epithelium
what artery supplies the uterus and how does it enter?
Helicine arteries (branch of the uterine artery) enter the hilum from the broad ligament to supply the uterus
how and when are oogonia formed?
Around 6 weeks into embryonic development germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia
how are oocytes AKA ova formed from germ cells?
-at 6 weeks germ cells from yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia
-at roughly 7 months oogonia will undergo development and division via meiosis to form mature oocytes (AKA ova)
what is oogenesis
development of mature oocytes (female germ cells) from oogonia
(oogonia undergo meisosis to form mature oocytes)
what is folliculogenesis
growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells
what is atresia
a condition in which a body orifice or passage in the body is abnormally closed or absent.
e.g. Biliary atresia, a condition in newborns in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent.
what is a pregranulosa cell?
follicle cell
what happens if an oocyte (foillicle cell) fails to associate with a pregranulosa cell?
it will die
at what point do ovaries have the highest number of germ cells present?
roughly at 7 months in utero
-they begin to decline at birth as oogonia divide by mitosis into primary oocytes
what type of cell is seen in primary follicles?
-surrounded by cuboidal granulosa cells AKA zona granulosa
-develop zona pellucida
-develop theca interna and theca externa
what type of cells allow you to distinguish primordial cells?
-the single layer or squamous epithelium cells
role of theca interna?
-it produces oestrogen precursors which later are converted to oestrogen by the granulosa cells
if no implantation occurs, what does the corpus luteum become?
the corpus albicans
how does the ovum move down the uterine tubes?
using peristalisis
where does fertilisation occur?
in the ampulla
histology of ampulla and uterine tubes?
-mucosa is highly folded and lined with simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory cells
-this is surrounded by smooth muscle (SM)
how to tell the difference betweern ampulla and isthmus using layers of smooth muscle?
2 layers smooth muscle= ampulla
3 layers smooth muscle= isthmus
what can the endometrium be divided into?
-Stratum functionalis
-Stratum basalis
role of stratum functionalis + basalis?
Stratum functionalis- undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss
stratum basalis- reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis
histology of endometrium during proliferative phase?
pseudostratified columnar epithelium lines glands which are relatively straight
The stroma is proliferating due to high oestrogen
histology if endometrium during secretory/ luteal phase?
during the secretory phase the glands become coiled with a corkscrew appearance and secrete glycogen
histology of endometrium during the menstrual phase?
-arterioles in the stratum functionalis undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing iscahemia with resultant tissue breakdown
what is the myometrium made up of?
3 layers of smooth muscle, combined with collagen and elastic tissue
what is the perimetrium made out of?
covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium
histology of cervix?
outer/ ectocervix= stratified (non keratinised) squamous epithelium
transition zone
inner/ endocervix= simple columnar epithelium
what part of the cervix is where most cervical cancer occurs?
-the transition zone
what are the 4 layers of the vagina?
- Non keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Fibromuscular layer
- Adventitia
how is the vagina lubricated?
There are no glands in the wall of the vagina (non keratinised stratified squamous epithelium)
-it is lubricates by mucous from the cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of the lamina propria
what is the mons pubis?
-Skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles (produce coarse, very curly hair characteristic of pubic hair), overlaying a substantial subcutaneous fat pad which itself overlies the pubic symphis
-Fatty tissue that overlies the pubic symphysis
what is the labia major an extension of?
-labia majora is an extension of the mons pubis
what is the histology of the labia majora?
-rich in apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands and with small bundles of smooth muscles
-hair follicles on the outer surface not the innner
what is the histology of the labia minora?
-thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles
-rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands that secrete directly onto the surface of the skin
-Keratinized epithelium extends into the opening of the vagina to the level of the hymen, where there is a transition to non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
histology of clitoris?
-contains two tubes of erectile vasculature tissue (Corpora cavernosa) covered by fibrocollagenous sheath covered by skin with rich innervation and a thin epidermis
