Histology of Female Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the name of the outer covering of the Ovary?

A

Germinal Epithelium (Simple Squamous to Cuboidal Mesothelium)

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2
Q

What is the name of the thick connective tissue layer that is just deep to the Germinal Epithelium?

A

Tunica Albuginea

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3
Q

Where are you going to find the vascular, neural, and lymphatic supply in the Ovary?

A

Medulla

- Space was provided for these structures by degeneration of the PRIMARY sex cords

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4
Q

What is the precursor of the Ovarian Cortex? Which structures are located within the cortex?

A
  • Secondary sex cords

- Houses the Follicles with oogonia

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5
Q

List the three phases of the Ovarian Cycle.

A
  1. Follicular Phase
  2. Ovulatory Phase
  3. Luteal Phase
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6
Q

Describe the histological features of the Primordial Follicle.

A

Single layer of squamous follicular (granulosa) cells

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7
Q

Which hormone will stimulate the Primordial Follicles to mature?

A

FSH

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8
Q

Describe the histological features of an Unilaminar (Early) Primary Follicle.

A
  • Single layer of Simple CUBOIDAL follicular (granulosa) cells
  • Zona Pellucida separates the oocyte and follicular cells
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9
Q

Describe the histological features of a Multilaminar (Late) Primary Follicle.

A
  • Follicular cells proliferate into a STRATIFIED CUBOIDAL epithelium known as the ZONA GRANULOSA
  • Zona Pellucida enlarges and is clearly seen
  • Theca interna (Flattened cells just Outside of the Granulosa Cells)
  • Theca Externa (Round cells outside of the Theca Interna cells)
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10
Q

Describe the histological features of the Secondary Follicle?

A
  • Follicular Antrum within the Granulosa Layer
  • Increase in cell layers of the ZONA Granulosa
  • Thicker Zona Pellucida
  • Theca Interna is much more evident (contributes to production of estrogens)
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11
Q

What creates the antrum within the Zona Granulosa?

A

Fusion of the CALL-EXNER Bodies

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12
Q

What is a meiotic state of the Preovulatory (Graffian) Follicle? Is it formed before or After Ovulation? What is its diploidy?

A

Metaphase II

BEFORE Ovulation

Oocyte is now 2N

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13
Q

In which cell will the Follicular Antrum reach its maximum size?

A

Preovulatory (Graffian) Follicle

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14
Q

List and describe the different types of Granulosa Cells that are going to be present in the Preovulatory Follicle. (3)

A
  1. Cumulus Oophorous - Anchors oocyte to wall of follicle and is the nutrient delivery channel
  2. Mural Granulosa Cells - Lining the wall of the Follicle
  3. Corona Radiata - Granulosa cells firmly anchored to zona pellucida and secretes HYALURONIC acid-rich product that will AID in the fallopian tube uptake
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15
Q

Describe what happens during Follicular Atresia

A
  • Granulosa Cells undergo apoptosis and are replaced by a fibrous material
  • GLASSY MEMBRANE: made from the Basement Membrane and the Zona Pellucida
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16
Q

Which hormone will Trigger the Ovulatory Phase?

A

LH Surge

17
Q

Describe what the Corpus Hemorrhagicum is.

A
  • Blood vessels from the Theca Interna are going to invade and fill the Antrum of the Follicle
  • Clotting and Fibrosis will occurs over the weeks
18
Q

What happens after the stigma is formed in the Preovulatory Follice?

A

The Follicle is going to rupture and the Oocyte will be released!

19
Q

Which cell layer makes up the Corpus Luteum?

A

Mural Granulosa Cell Layer

20
Q

Describe the cell transformations in during Luteinization in the Corpus Luteum.

A
  1. Mural Granulosa Cells –> Granulosa Lutein Cells
    - Granulosa Lutein cells secrete progesterone and estrogen in response to BOTH FSH and LH
    - Still Lack Enzyme for complete synthesis of Estradiol
  2. Theca Interna Cells –> Theca Lutein Cells
    - Secrete Androstenedione and Progesterone in response to LH
21
Q

If fertilization does not occur, the Corpus Luteum is going to regress and form which structure?

A

Corpus Albincans (Scar on Ovary)

22
Q

Describe the three layers of the Uterine Tubes.

A
  1. Mucosa: Simple Columnar Epithelium, Ciliated Cells, and Nonciliated secretory Cells (PEG Cells)
  2. Smooth Muscle: Inner Circular and Outer Longitudinal Layers
  3. Serosa
23
Q

What is the function of the Ciliated and non-Ciliated Cells located in the Mucosa of the Uterine Tubes?

A
  • Ciliated: Moves the egg along the uterine tube. Estrogen will stimulate the motion of the cilia
  • Non-Ciliated (PEG Cells): Release nutrients that will give nutrition to the eggs as they journey along the Uterine Tube
24
Q

If fertilization does occur, which part of the Uterine Tube does it occur in?

A

Ampulla of the Uterine Tube

25
Q

Describe the different layers within the Body of the Uterus.

A
  1. Endometrium (Mucosa): Superficial Functional Layer (LOST during menstruation; Simple COLUMNAR epithelial lining and Simple TUBULAR endometrial glands) and BASAL Layer (Source of REGENERATION of cells)
  2. Myometrium: Inner Longitudinal M., Middle Circular M. (Stratum Vasculare) and Outer Longitudinal M.
  3. Perimetrium: Adventitia or Serosa
26
Q

Which layer of the Uterus will undergo Hypertrophy during Pregnancy?

A

Myometrium of the Uterus

27
Q

Which two arteries will provide blood supply to the Uterus?

A
  1. Ovarian a.

2. Uterine a.

28
Q

Describe the Branching Pattern of Arteries on your way to the Endometrium.

A
  • Arcuate A. off of Ovarian/Uterine a.
  • Radial A.
  • Straight a. (Supplies Basal Layer of Endometrium; is NOT lost in menstruation)
  • Spiral a. (Supplies Functional Layer of Endometrium; LOST with menstruation)
29
Q

Describe the Three Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in relation to the endometrium of the Uterus.

A
  1. Menstrual: Getting rid of the Functional Layer of the Endometrium
  2. Proliferative: Building up the Endometrium to be ready for implantation
  3. Secretory: Best Phase for Implantation to Occur!
30
Q

How can you tell histologically that you are in the Menstrual Phase?

A
  • Outer Columnar Epithelial is not structured

- NO GLANDS

31
Q

How can you tell histologically that you are in the Proliferative Phase?

A
  • Nice Outer Epithelial Lining
  • May see some Blood Vessels
  • You will see GLANDS!
32
Q

What is happening in the Secretory Phase to the Endometrium?

A
  • Functional Layer becomes THICK (Increase in Cells, Edema, and Ground Substance
  • Spiral Arteries become long!
  • Endometrial GLANDS become hypertrophied with GLYCOGEN-RICH secretory products
33
Q

Which phase of the Ovarian cycle is going to be the “variable” stage?

A

Follicular Phase

34
Q

Explain the structure of the Cervix.

A

Endocervix: Opening of Internal Uterine Os, SIMPLE COLUMNAR epithelium, Mucous secreting Glands, NABOTHIAN CYSTS (blockage of mucus glands)

Ectocervix: Opening into the Vagina, STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS epithelium, Squamous-Columnar Junction

35
Q

Where is the Squamous-Columnar Junction start and where does is migrate to? Which cells are replacing the other? Why is this Clinically Important?

A

Starts just outside the External Uterine Os and Migrates up into the Cervical Canal! (Transformation ZONE)

SQUAMOUS cells are going to replace the Columnar Cells

Important for Pap Smears (sampling cells from the Transition Zone) looking for HPV infections!

36
Q

Which cells can become cancerous after a HPV infection? Which cells are cancerous when Adenocarcinoma?

A

HPV: SQUAMOUS Cell Carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma: COLUMNAR Cell Carcinoma

37
Q

Describe the three layers in the Vagina.

A
  1. Mucosal Layer: STRATIFIED squamous epithelium, LAMINA PROPRIA does NOT have GLANDS!
  2. Muscularis Layer: Circular and Longitudinal Smooth Muscle
  3. Adventitial Layer
38
Q

Where does the Vagina receive lubrication from?

A
  1. Mucus Secreting Glands from ENDOCERVIX

2. Greater Vestibular Glands (In Bulb of the Vagina)