Histology of Reproductive system

Question 1

Describe seminiferous epithelium.

Answer 1

Found in the testis
Consists of two cell types:
- Sertoli cells (form the blood-testis barrier) (FSH 
   responsive; inhibin secretion)
- Germ cells

Question 2

What cells are found in seminiferous tubules?

Answer 2

Seminiferous epithelium
- Sertoli cells
- Germ cells
Leydig cells - testosterone secretion.

Question 3

What is the clinical significance of the histology of the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 3

Tumours of the testis are very important
- High proportion of tumours seen in early life
90 - 95% testicular neoplasms are GERM CELL tumours

Question 4

Describe the histology of the rete testis.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 4

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Seminiferous tubules converge in rete testis via tubuli recti

Rete testis provides exit to duct system for male germ cells

Question 5

Describe the histology of the efferent duct.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 5

Characteristic scalloped epithelium
Combined ciliary actin and myoid contraction contribute to sperm transport

Connects rete testis with the head of the epididymis

Question 6

Describe the histology of the epididymis.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 6

Smooth muscle tube lined by pseudostratified epithelium
Characterised by presence of stereocilia

Sperm maturation is completed (motile)

Question 7

Describe the histology of the vas deferens.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 7

4 layered tube:

• Epithelium (pseudostratified columnar)
• 3x smooth muscle (longitudinal, circular, longitudinal)

Connects epididymis with ejaculatory duct
Smooth muscle contracts powerfully during ejaculation

Question 8

Describe the histology of the seminal vesicle.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 8

Secretory epithelium
- contributes 85% ejaculate volume
Smooth muscle layer

Sympathetic innervation enables discharge of contents into duct.

Question 9

Describe the histology of the prostate.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 9

Epithelium is:
-heterogeneous - cuboidal/columnar/pseudostratified
With characteristic fibromuscular stroma

Collection of 30-50 tubulo-alveolar glands draining into prostatic urethra
Ejaculatory ducts merge with urethra within the prostate

Question 10

What are the different zones of the prostate?

Answer 10

From innermost to outermost:

• Prostatic urethra
• Central Zone
• Peripheral zone

Question 11

Give the names of tumours and the zones of the prostate they occupy.

Answer 11

Transition zone: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Peripheral zone: prostatic carcinoma

Question 12

What is the sequence of ovarian follicular development?

Answer 12

primordial>primary>pre-antral (2°)>early antral (3°)> mature>corpus luteum

Question 13

Describe the histology of the primordial follicle.

Answer 13

Small oocyte with flat follicular cells

Question 14

Describe the histology of the primary follicle.

Answer 14

Oocyte at maximum diameter with one or more layers of cuboidal granulosa cells

Zona pellucida develops

Question 15

Describe the histology of the ovary.

Answer 15

Squamous to cuboidal epithelium
Stroma - theca and granulosa cells
- may also give rise to tumours

Question 16

Describe the histology of the 2° pre-antral follicle.

Answer 16

Oocyte
Zona pellucida
Granulosa cells
Theca interna

(Theca folliculi established)

Question 17

Describe the histology of the 3° early antral follicle

Answer 17

Same as 2° pre-antral follicle

Has an antrum.

Question 18

Describe the histology of the mature follicle.

Answer 18

Step up from early antral

Also has:

• Cumulus oophorus
• corona radiata
• antrum, containing follicular fluid

Question 19

Describe the histology of the corpus luteum.

Answer 19

Septa containing blood vessels
Granulosa lutein cells
Theca lutein cells
Blood clot

Question 20

What are the different parts of the uterine tube?

Answer 20

Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Fimbriae

Question 21

Describe the histology of the uterus.

Answer 21

Endometrium:

• Stratum basalis
• Stratum functionalis
  
  • Stratum spongiosum
  • Stratum compactum

Question 22

Describe the histological changes of the uterus in the menstrual cycle.

Answer 22

Early proliferative: glands sparse, straight
Late proliferative: functionalis has doubled, glands now coiled
Early secretory: endometrium max thickness, very pronounced coiled glands
Late secretory: glands adopt characteristic “saw-tooth” appearance

Question 23

Describe the histology of the cervix

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 23

Endocervical canal with mucus-secreting, simple columnar epithelium
Ectocervix with stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium
Squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) can be located at any point across the cervix

Transformation zone
- Adjacent to SCJ where majority of neoplasms arise

Question 24

Describe the histology of the vagina.

with a little bit about function/ purpose

Answer 24

3 layered fibromuscular canal
Glycogen producing non-keratinised squamous epithelium
Submucosa rich in elastin fibres and highly vascular
NO Glands

Question 25

Describe breast tissue and ducts.

Answer 25

A single lactiferous duct opens from each of multiple (15-20) lobes
Main duct branches repeatedly:
- Terminal ducts
- Lobular unit, consisting of multiple acini

About 70% of breast malignancies are infiltrating ductal carcinoma

Question 26

Describe the histology of inactive breast tissue.

Answer 26

Limited development of duct-alveolar system

Relatively dense fibrous interlobular tissue

Question 27

Describe the histology of the lactating breast tissue.

Answer 27

Highly developed with milk secretions in alveolar lumen

Interlobular tissue reduced to thin septa