Histology of the female reproductive system Flashcards
different factors for female infertility
ovulatory disorders
tubal damage
uterine or peritoneal disorder
other causes
cervical cancer
ovulatory disorders
most common cause of female infertility
25% of couples
tubal damage
20% of couples
patency e.g. ectopic pregnancy
previous sterilisation
uterine or peritoneal disorder
10% of couples
endometriosis or fibroids
pelvic inflammatory disease
other causes for female infertility
lifestyle
age
previous/current infection
pelvic inflammatory disease
label the image
relationship between the ovaries and Fallopian tube
in close proximity and held together by the broad ligament
not directly connected
label the image
what is in the image and label
ovary
H= hilum
m= medulla
C= cortex
the ovary
surface covered by single layer of epithelium
has 3 regions:
1. hilum which is entry/exit fo vasculature and lymphatic
2. medulla inner region
3. cortex containing gametes and support cells (stroma)
hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis
what is in the image
ovary
what are the stages of ovarian follicular development
what is follicle maturation
each mature follicle contains an oocyte and its outer zone pellucid as well as the support cells of the follicle (granulosa and theca cells) and the fluid filled astral cavity
stages of follicular maturation
pre-antral
late pre-antral
astral
pre-ovulatory
follicle in pre-antral
primary follicle
follicle in late pre-antral
secondary follicle
follicle in antral
late secondary or tertiary
follicle in pre-ovulatory
mature/tertiary/ Graafian/ dominant
primordial follicle
follicles develop during embryogenesis and the female has their full complement of oogonia by the second trimester of pregnancy
what is in the image and what do the labels show
primordial follicle
e= epithelium
g= primordial germ cell
S= mesenchymal stroma is embryonic connective tissue that provides the cellular framework of the ovary
what is in the image and label
o: oocyte
g: granulosa cells, support cells
what is in the image and label
primary follicle
O: oocyte
ZP: zona pellucida
G: granulosa cells
zona pellucida develops at this stage
is a glycoprotein coating that pserm must penetrate to get into oocyte during fertilisation
granulosa cell layers thicken
what is in the image and label
secondary follicle
O: oocyte
ZP: zona pellucida
G: granulosa cells
TI: theca interna, spindle
TE: theca externa, plump
C: antral cavity
granulosa and theca internal are secretory
antral cavity filled with necessary supportive fluid
what is in the image and describe
Tertiary/Pre-ovulatory/Mature/Dominant/Graafian Follicle
Fluid filled cavity enlarges to form the antrum
Granulosa cells that separate the antrum and the oocyte form the cumulus-oocyte-complex (cumulus oophorus)
Cumulus cells degenerate leaving the corona radiata
what is ovulated
Primary oocyte becomes secondary oocyte and you can see a polar body
Follicle ruptures and fluid, oocyte and cumulus are released and coaxed into the Fallopian tube
Follicle becomes the corpus luteum
label the image
what must all oocytes undergo
2 rounds of meiosis
1. primary oocytes, all oocytes present at birth in primordial follicles
all oocytes padded in meiosis 1 and called primary oocytes
- secondary oocytes, meiosis 1 is completed in hours before ovulation and becomes secondary oocyte, meiosis 2 starts but is paused
- meiosis 2 is. only complete if fertilisation occurs
oocyte maturation
primary oocytes:
undergo meiosis 1 which starts in foetal life but is paused.
It is completed in the hours before ovulation
secondary oocytes:
Begin Meiosis II begins after ovulation but is paused until fertilisation
lifecycle of the corpus luteum
Corpus haemorraghicum (red)
Corpus luteum (yellow)
Corpus albicans (white) small fibrous mass stops producing hormones and persists for a long time
Programmed to be steroidogenic for 14 days ± 2 and then undergoes leutolysis, If pregnant the CL remains until the placenta takes over steroidogenesis at week 13 of gestation
what is in the image
Yellow Body
Max size approx. day 20 (2 cm long x 1.5 cm wide)
Blood clot fills the lumen
Surrounding granulosa and theca interna cells are luteinised cells
what is in the image
Corpus Albicans
White Body
Oval mass of fibrous tissue
Theca externa and fibroblasts produce collagen - replace lutein cells. Thus non-steroidogenic.
Scar tissue which remains in the ovary in life.
what is in the image and label
Fallopian tube
histology of the Fallopian tubes
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis (IC, OL)
Serosa
what is in the image, label and describe
ampulla
fallopian epithelium
ciliated and secretory cells
Fallopian tube functions
effect of increased oestrogen in Fallopian tubes
increased transport speed/ secretions for oocyte
effect of increased progesterone in Fallopian tubes
decreased transport speed/ secretions for embryo
secretions in Fallopian tubes
secretory cells
transport in Fallopian tubes
ciliated cells
smooth muscle contraction
composition of tubal fluid
3 phases of the uterine cycle
menses
proliferative phase
secretory phase
menses
day 0-5
shedding of the endometrial lining
proliferative phase
day 5-14
growth of endometrial lining
secretory phase
day 14-28
preparation for implantation
regular menses
what is in the image and what do the labels show
uterine body and fundus
label the image
myometrium
Myometrial smooth muscle has three ill-defined layers
It is sensitive to hormones and undergoes hyper trophy (size) and hyperplasia )numbers) during pregnancy.
describe the proliferative phase
describe the secretory phase
describe the menstrual phase
age for cervical screening
25-64
describe the cervix
what is in the image and describe
ectocervix
what is in the image and describe
endocervix
2 types of cervical epithelium
ectocervix
endocervix
what is in the image
functions of secretions
what is in the image
The cervical stroma is composed of smooth muscle fibres and collagen
The ratio of collagen to smooth muscle may increase with age. Associated with increased risk during childbirth.
the transformation zone
what is in the image
ectropion
Puberty – ectropion, eversion of the endocervix exposed to acidic environment, becomes squamous
Can also occur for other reasons e.g. combine oral contraceptive pill
Not pathological
transformation zone histologically
what is in the image
vagina
7-9 cm in length but capable of distention and elongation
4 Layers
Stratified squamous epithelium
Elastin rich submucosa
Fibromuscular layer (ill-defined)
Adventitia
function of the vagina
function of the vagina
