Histology of Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Roles of the ovary?
Produces gametes (oogenesis in females) Produces oestrogen and progesterone
What is contained within the medulla of the ovary?
Core of the organ
Loose connective tissue
Contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics
Continuous with the hilum of the organ
What makes up the outer shell of the cortex?
Dense connective tissue of the tunica albuginea
What type of epithelium covers the ovary?
Single layer of cuboidal cells called the germinal epithelium
What is the name of the dominant follicle?
Graafian follicle
What arteries supply the ovary?
A group of helicine arteries enter the hilum from the broad ligament to supply the ovary
What makes up the cortex of the ovary?
Follicles and connective tissue with stromal cells and scattered smooth muscle fibres
What are around 70% of ovarian cancers derived from?
Germinal epithelium
Where will the germ cells originate (around week 6)?
Yolk sac, they will invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia
What is oogenesis?
Development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia
What is folliculogenesis?
Growth of a follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any assoc support cells
When is your peak number of eggs?
7 months in utero
What will be present on a primordial follicle?
Squamous epithelium
What defines a primary follicle?
Cuboidal granulosa cells and the presence of the granulosa cells
Formation of zona pellucida
What will the inner layers of the stromal cells become?
Theca interna and externa
Secrete oestrogen precursors which are transported to the granulosa cells to create oestrogen
What is present on the secondary follicle?
Antrum; filled with follicular fluid
What attaches the oocytes to the follicular wall?
Cumulus oophorus which is an outpouching of granulosa cells
Describe the meiosis seen in the graafian follicle
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
When will the secondary oocyte become a fully mature oocyte?
When it has been ovulated and fertilized, producing a second polar body
What will the follicle turn into after ovulation?
Corpus luteum with the theca and granulosa cells secreting oestrogens and progesterone, helping prepare the uterus for implantation
What occurs to the corpus luteum in the absence of fertilization and implantation?
Corpus albicans
What occurs to the corpus luteum if implantation occurs?
Placenta will secrete hCG preventing degeneration of the corpus luteum, and so maintains progesterone levels to maintain the pregnancy
What is the infundibulum?
Funnel shaped; moves so that its opening is adjacent to the site where the follicle ruptures
What type of epithelium is present in the fallopian tubes?
Simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory epithelium
Where does fertilization commonly occur?
Ampulla or isthmus
Why is there smooth muscle in the uterine tubes?
Peristalsis
What makes up the uterine wall?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
Describe the endometrium of the uterine wall
Inner secretory mucosa which is shed in menstruation
Made up of tubular secretory glands embedded in a connective tissue stroma
Describe the myometrium of the uterine wall
3 layers of smooth muscle combined with collagen and elastic tissue
Describe the perimetrium of the uterine wall
Outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium
What are the 2 parts of the endometrium?
Stratum functionalis; undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss
Straum basalis; reserve tissue that regenerates the functionalis
How will the glands of the endometrium change in the secretory phase?
Become coiled with a corkscrew appearance
Secrete glycogen
What will occurs to the stratum functionalis in the menstrual phase?
Arterioles undergo constriction, depriving the tissue of blood and causing ischaemia with resultant tissue breakdown, leakage of blood and tissue sloughing
What makes up the majority of the cervix?
Fibrous connective tissue covered by stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface but transitioning to mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium
What is the clinical significance o the squamocolumnar junction?
Common site of dysplasia and neoplastic changes
How does the mucus secreted from the cervix vary?
Watery in proliferative phase
Thick and viscous following ovulation
What is a nabothian cyst?
Outlets of the glands become blocked resulting in the glands expanding forming a cyst
What are the 4 layers to the vagina?
Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Lamina propria
Fibromuscular layer
Adventitia
How does the vagina stay lubricated?
Mucous from cervical glands and fluid from the thin walled blood vessels of the lamina propria
What is the function of glycogen and lactic acid in the vagina?
Commensals metabolize the glycogen
Lactic acid inhibits the pathogenic bacteria
What is the mons pubis?
Skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles (coarse, curly pubic hair) overlying a substantial subcutaneous fat pad which overlies the pubic symphysis
Describe the labia majora
Extensions of mons pubic, similar in structure and rich in apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands with small bundles of smooth muscle
Describe the labia minoria
Thin skin folds that lack subcutaneous fat and hair follicles
Rich in vasculature and sebaceous glands
Describe the clitoris
2 tubes of erectile vascular tissue (corpora cavernosa), covered by a fibrocollagenous sheath with a rich innervation and a thin epidermis
Describe the transition of epithelium from the labia minora to the vagina
Keratinized extends to the hymen
Transition to non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium in the vagina
