Histology of the Female Reproductive System

Question 1

2 main functions of the ovary

Answer 1

produce gametes

produce steroids eg oestrogen and progestogerone

Question 2

2 layers of the ovary?

Answer 2

medulla

cortex

Question 3

what layer of the ovary contains the vasculature and lymphatics?

Answer 3

medulla

Question 4

outer shell of the cortex is made from…

Answer 4

dense connective tissue called the tunica albuginea

Question 5

the tunica albuginea is covered by what epithelium? what cells form this?

Answer 5

germinal epithelium (made up of cuboidal cells)

Question 6

secondary follicles contain what fluid-filled space inside them? what happens to it?

Answer 6

antrum

ejected once the follicle matures

Question 7

what are oogonia and when are they formed?

Answer 7

germ cells from the yolk sac that have invaded the ovary and undergone mitosis
week 6

Question 8

how does an oogonia become an oocyte?

Answer 8

it undergoes meiosis

Question 9

define oogenesis?

Answer 9

development of oocytes from oogonia

Question 10

define folliculogenesis?

Answer 10

growth of the follicle which consists of the oocyte and support cells

Question 11

what is atresia?

Answer 11

apoptotic process involving loss of oogonia and oocytes

Question 12

in a 20 year old _ follicles restart development per day

Answer 12

15

Question 13

name the cells that are pre-differentiated on the outside of the follicle

Answer 13

stromal cells (form the theca interna and externa)

Question 14

if the oocyte fails to associate with ___ cells it will die

Answer 14

pregranulosa

Question 15

the zona pellucida forms between what?

Answer 15

oocyte and granulosa cells

Question 16

what is the zone pellucida?

Answer 16

a layer of extracellular matrix

Question 17

where do granulosa cells arrange?

Answer 17

around the oocyte

Question 18

how is oestrogen made?

Answer 18

theca interna secretes oestrogen precursors

these are then converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells

Question 19

what happens to the antrum once it is excreted?

Answer 19

forms a secondary follicle

Question 20

the largest antral follicles are called…

Answer 20

graafian follicles

Question 21

the chosen oocyte is release from what kind of follicle?

Answer 21

the largest graafian follicle (ie an antral follicle)

Question 22

the oocyte released for ovulation is a primary/secondary oocyte

Answer 22

secondary (it is a product of the meisis of the primary follicle)

Question 23

what happens to the tunica albuginea in ovulation?

Answer 23

it splits to allow the secondary oocyte to exit

Question 24

what does the corpus luteum form if fertilisation does not occur? how does it differ from the corpus luteum

Answer 24

corpus albicans (white rather than yellow in colour and does not secrete hormones)

Question 25

what structure secretes HCG once the oocyte has been fertilised?

Answer 25

placenta

Question 26

what does HCG do?

Answer 26

prevents degeneration of the corpus luteum by maintaining progesterone levels

Question 27

name the sections of the fallopian tube from lateral to medial

Answer 27

ampulla
isthmus
intramural portion

Question 28

ampula is lined by…

Answer 28

simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory cells

Question 29

the endometrium is made up of what kind of glands? what are these glands embedded in?

Answer 29

tubular secretory glands

connective tissue

Question 30

the myometrium is made up of how many layers of smooth muscle?

Answer 30

3

Question 31

the perimetrium is made up of what structures?

Answer 31

loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium?

Question 32

which layer of the endometrium is left behind after menstruation

Answer 32

stratum basalis

Question 33

which layer of the endometrium is lost in menstruation?

Answer 33

stratum functionalis

Question 34

describe the change in the endometrium during the proliferative phase?

Answer 34

stratum basalis proliferates
vasculature/glands grow = inc thickness
stratum functionalis becomes very thick

Question 35

name the 3 layers of the uterine wall from inner to outer?

Answer 35

endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium

Question 36

at what phase in the menstrual cycle is glycogen release?

Answer 36

secretory

Question 37

what happens to the glands in the secretory phase?

Answer 37

they coil and corkscrew rather than the straight appearance they had in the proliferative phase

Question 38

how does the endometrium collapse in the menstrual phase?

Answer 38

arterioles constrict = blood restriction = tissue breakdown, blood leakage and tissue sloughing

Question 39

main epithelium types in cervix?

Answer 39

stratified squamous at the vaginal end

simple columnar at the uterine end

Question 40

most common site of dysplasia in the cervix?

Answer 40

transition zone from SS to SC epithelium

Question 41

what glands are present in the mucous secreting epithelium of the cervix?

Answer 41

endocervical glands

Question 42

name the 4 layers of the vagina?

Answer 42

non keratinised SS epithelium
lamina propria
fibromuscular layer
adventitia

Question 43

what is the lamina propria?

Answer 43

CT rich in elastic fibres and thin walled blood vessels

Question 44

what lubricates the vagina?

Answer 44

endocerbical glands

fluid from the lamina proprias BVs

Question 45

why is glycogen present in the SS epithelium?

Answer 45

commensal bacteria convert it to lactic acid which inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria

Question 46

what is the name of the skin of the vulva that produces pubic hair?

Answer 46

mons pubis