Histology of Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Roles of the ovary?

Answer 1

Produces gametes (oogenesis in females) 
Produces oestrogen and progesterone

Question 2

What is contained within the medulla of the ovary?

Answer 2

Core of the organ
Loose connective tissue
Contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics
Continuous with the hilum of the organ

Question 3

What makes up the outer shell of the cortex?

Answer 3

Dense connective tissue of the tunica albuginea

Question 4

What type of epithelium covers the ovary?

Answer 4

Single layer of cuboidal cells called the germinal epithelium

Question 5

What is the name of the dominant follicle?

Answer 5

Graafian follicle

Question 6

What arteries supply the ovary?

Answer 6

A group of helicine arteries enter the hilum from the broad ligament to supply the ovary

Question 7

What makes up the cortex of the ovary?

Answer 7

Follicles and connective tissue with stromal cells and scattered smooth muscle fibres

Question 8

What are around 70% of ovarian cancers derived from?

Answer 8

Germinal epithelium

Question 9

Where will the germ cells originate (around week 6)?

Answer 9

Yolk sac, they will invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia

Question 10

What is oogenesis?

Answer 10

Development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia

Question 11

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 11

Growth of a follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any assoc support cells

Question 12

When is your peak number of eggs?

Answer 12

7 months in utero

Question 13

What will be present on a primordial follicle?

Answer 13

Squamous epithelium

Question 14

What defines a primary follicle?

Answer 14

Cuboidal granulosa cells and the presence of the granulosa cells
Formation of zona pellucida

Question 15

What will the inner layers of the stromal cells become?

Answer 15

Theca interna and externa

Secrete oestrogen precursors which are transported to the granulosa cells to create oestrogen

Question 16

What is present on the secondary follicle?

Answer 16

Antrum; filled with follicular fluid

Question 17

What attaches the oocytes to the follicular wall?

Answer 17

Cumulus oophorus which is an outpouching of granulosa cells

Question 18

Describe the meiosis seen in the graafian follicle

Answer 18

It will produce a secondary oocyte and a tiny polar body that carries the 2nd nucleus away to degenerate
The secondary oocyte will begin the second phase of meiosis and stop at metaphase 2

Question 19

When will the secondary oocyte become a fully mature oocyte?

Answer 19

When it has been ovulated and fertilized, producing a second polar body

Question 20

What will the follicle turn into after ovulation?

Answer 20

Corpus luteum with the theca and granulosa cells secreting oestrogens and progesterone, helping prepare the uterus for implantation

Question 21

What occurs to the corpus luteum in the absence of fertilization and implantation?

Answer 21

Corpus albicans

Question 22

What occurs to the corpus luteum if implantation occurs?

Answer 22

Placenta will secrete hCG preventing degeneration of the corpus luteum, and so maintains progesterone levels to maintain the pregnancy

Question 23

What is the infundibulum?

Answer 23

Funnel shaped; moves so that its opening is adjacent to the site where the follicle ruptures

Question 24

What type of epithelium is present in the fallopian tubes?

Answer 24

Simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory epithelium

Question 25

Where does fertilization commonly occur?

Answer 25

Ampulla or isthmus

Question 26

Why is there smooth muscle in the uterine tubes?

Answer 26

Peristalsis

Question 27

What makes up the uterine wall?

Answer 27

Endometrium Myometrium Perimetrium

Question 28

Describe the endometrium of the uterine wall

Answer 28

Inner secretory mucosa which is shed in menstruation | Made up of tubular secretory glands embedded in a connective tissue stroma

Question 29

Describe the myometrium of the uterine wall

Answer 29

3 layers of smooth muscle combined with collagen and elastic tissue

Question 30

Describe the perimetrium of the uterine wall

Answer 30

Outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium

Question 31

What are the 2 parts of the endometrium?

Answer 31

Stratum functionalis; undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss Straum basalis; reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis

Question 32

How will the glands of the endometrium change in the secretory phase?

Answer 32

Become coiled with a corkscrew appearance | Secrete glycogen

Question 33

What will occurs to the stratum functionalis in the menstrual phase?

Answer 33

Arterioles undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing ischaemia with resultant tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and tissue sloughing

Question 34

What makes up the majority of the cervix?

Answer 34

Fibrous connective tissue covered by stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface but transitioning to mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium

Question 35

What is the clinical significance o the squamocolumnar junction?

Answer 35

Common site of dysplasia and neoplastic changes

Question 36

How does the mucus secreted from the cervix vary?

Answer 36

Watery in proliferative phase | Thick and viscous following ovulation

Question 37

What is a nabothian cyst?

Answer 37

Outlets of the glands become blocked resulting in the glands expanding forming a cyst

Question 38

What are the 4 layers to the vagina?

Answer 38

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium Lamina propria Fibromuscular layer Adventitia

Question 39

How does the vagina stay lubricated?

Answer 39

Mucous from cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of the lamina propria

Question 40

What is the function of glycogen and lactic acid in the vagina?

Answer 40

Commensals metabolize the glycogen | Lactic acid inhibits the pathogenic bacteria

Question 41

What is the mons pubis?

Answer 41

Skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles (coarse, curly pubic hair) overlying a substantial subcutaneous fat pad which overlies the pubic symphysis

Question 42

Describe the labia majora

Answer 42

Extensions of mons pubic, similar in structure and rich in apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands with small bundles of smooth muscle

Question 43

Describe the labia minoria

Answer 43

Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles Rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands

Question 44

Describe the clitoris

Answer 44

2 tubes of erectile vascular tissue (corpora cavernosa), covered by a fibrocollagenous sheath with a rich innervation and a thin epidermis

Question 45

Describe the transition of epithelium from the labia minora to the vagina

Answer 45

Keratinized extends to the hymen | Transition to non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium in the vagina