Histology of Female Reproductive System II Flashcards
What is the uterine tube and its function?
Fallopian tube
Structure maintains the oocyte and facilitate its movement on its journey toward the uterus
Is the normal site of fertilization
What are the parts of the uterine tube?
Infundibulum - has fimbriae, free end opens into the peritoneal cavity. Fimbriae facilitate capture of the oocyte at ovulation so that it can pass into the lumen of the tube
Ampulla - dilated portion of tube, about 2/3rd of tube’s length, longest and widest part, site of fertilization
Isthmus - constricted connected to uterus
Uterine (intramural) part - extends into uterine wall
What are the layers of the uterine tube?
Mucosa - longitudinal folds that increase surface area
Muscularis - smooth muscle
Serosa - mesosalpinx which invests the uterine tube
Describe the mucosa of the uterine tube
Has longitudinal folds
Epithelium is simple columnar:
Ciliated cells create brush like surface and sweep oocyte towards uterus
Nonciliated peg cells - produce nutrient rich protective secretions for oocyte, sperm, or zygote
Lamina propria - loose CT
Describe the muscularis of the uterine tube
Thick layer of inner circular fibers
Thin layer of outer longitudinal fibers
Produces rhythmic peristaltic waves that facilitate the movement of the oocyte from the infundibulum to the ampulla (and toward uterus)
Describe the serosa of the uterine tube
Mesosalpinx which invests the uterine tube
Visceral peritoneum (mesothelium and thin layer of CT)
What is the function of the uterus?
Site of implantation of the blastocyst
Protects and nurture the developing embryo and fetus during the 9 month gestation
What are the layers of the uterus?
Endometrium - mucosa
Myometrium - smooth muscle
Perimetrium - outer layer
Cervix - lower cylindrical part of uterus, connects uterus to the vagina
Describe the endometrium of uterus
Epithelium - simple columnar with ciliated cells and nonciliated secretory cells (secrete glycoproteins)
Lamina propria - simple branched tubular glands (uterine glands), fibroblasts, dense irregular collagenous CT
What are in the lamina propria of the endometrium?
Stratum functionale - sloughed off in menstruation and in pregnant women, it is reffered to as decidua
Stratum basale - remains to repave the functional layer
Blood vessels - uterine artery gives rise to arcuate arteries - radial arteries also present
What is endometriosis?
Endometrial tissue growing in the pelvis or peritoneal cavity
Origin of tissue is unknown
Extrauterine endometrial tissue may undergo cyclical changes like intrauterine endometrial tissue - hemorrhaging of this tissue may cause adhesions and pain - predominant cause of infertility in reproductive age females
What are the three hypotheses for origin of endometrial tissue in pelvis or peritoneal cavity in endometriosis?
- Regurgitation hypothesis - menstrual flow escapes from uterus via the uterine tubes to enter the peritoneal cavity
- Metaplastic hypothesis - epithelial cells of the peritoneum differentiate into endometrial cells
- Vascular dissemination hypothesis - endometrial cells enter vascular channels during menstruation and are distributed by the blood or lymph system
Describe the myometrium of the uterus
Smooth muscle
Inner longitudinal layer
Middle circular layers with larger blood vessels
Outer longitudinal layer
During pregnancy, the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium undergo hypertrophy (increase in cell size) and hyperplasty (increase in cells numbers via mitotic division)
Describe the perimetrium of the uterus
Serosa - mesothelium and loose CT
Adventitia - CT which attaches to surrounding structures
Describe the cervix of the uterus
Lining is made of mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium
85% tough fibrous dense CT, elastic fibers, some smooth muscle
Vaginal part (ectocervix) - stratified squamous nonkertatinizing epith
Mucosa - cervical glands are branched and numerous. Nabothian cysts result from secretions obstructing the ducts of the cervical glands
Ovarian hormones influences the amount and consistency of the mucus released by cervical glands
What is the menstrual cycle?
In response to estrogen and progesterone released by the ovary, the endometrium undergoes structural changes during the 28 day menstrual cycle to prepare for implantation of blastocyst
If there is no implantation, a layer of endometrium (stratum functionale) degenerates, sloughs off, and menstrual bleeding occurs
What occurs during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?
Days 1-4
If fertilization/implantation does not occur, CL stops functioning in about 14 days
PG and estrogen levels decline
Smooth muscle in wall of spiral arteries contract
Blood flow to functional layer decrease
Functional layer becomes ischemic and blood flow to endometrial lining ceases
Necrosis of functional layer
Blood vessels break off and functional layer of endometrium sloughs off
Bleeding occurs and blood and functional layer are released
What occurs during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle? What are the other names for this cycle?
Follicular and estrogenic phase
Days 5-14
Uterine mucosa - lamina propria with basal portions of the glands
Estrogen stimulates proliferation of epithelium, glands, vessels
Glands consist of straight tubules lined with simple columnar epithelium
Spiral arteries grow into the repaved endometrial stroma
What occurs during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle? What are the other names for this phase?
Luteal and progestational phase
Days 15-28
Starts after ovulation
PG stimulates glands to synthesize and release glycoproteins, whcih may nourish the implanted blastocyst
Glands become coiled
Spiral arteries grow into the functional layer of endometrium
What are uterine leiomyomas (fibroids)?
Most common benign neoplasms of smooth muscle origin in women
Occur as a single tumor, but usually occur as multiple, distinct tumors
40% of sufferers have some chromosomal abnormality
When large and multiple they may cause abnormally heavy menstrual periods
Large leiomyomas may compress the urinary bladder, causing frequent urination
During pregnancy they increase miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage
What are the locations and morphology of uterine fibroids?
Locations:
Intramural - in myometrium
Submucosal - deep to uterine mucosa
Subserosal - deep to serosa
Morphology - well define and spherical, firm, gray, or white growth. Size varies and have whorled appearance
What are the layers of the vagina?
Mucosa
Muscular layer
Adventitia
What is the structure of the mucosa of the vagina?
Epithelium - stratified squamous nonkeratinizing epithelium, glycogen
Lamina propria - abundant elastic fibers, loose fibroelastic CT, lymphoctyes, neutrophils, no glands
What is the muscular layer of the vagina?
Thin inner layer, circular smooth muscle fibers
Thicker outer layer, longitudinal fibers, continuous with corresponding uterine layer
What is the adventitia of the vagina?
Dense connective tissue
Thick elastic fibers
Venous plexus
Nerve bundles
What are the mammary glands composed of?
Compound tubuloalveolar glands
Resting (non-lactating) mammary gland
Lactating (active) mammary gland - alveoli
