Histology of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
2 main functions of the ovary
produce gametes
produce steroids eg oestrogen and progestogerone
2 layers of the ovary?
medulla
cortex
what layer of the ovary contains the vasculature and lymphatics?
medulla
outer shell of the cortex is made from…
dense connective tissue called the tunica albuginea
the tunica albuginea is covered by what epithelium? what cells form this?
germinal epithelium (made up of cuboidal cells)
secondary follicles contain what fluid-filled space inside them? what happens to it?
antrum
ejected once the follicle matures
what are oogonia and when are they formed?
germ cells from the yolk sac that have invaded the ovary and undergone mitosis
week 6
how does an oogonia become an oocyte?
it undergoes meiosis
define oogenesis?
development of oocytes from oogonia
define folliculogenesis?
growth of the follicle which consists of the oocyte and support cells
what is atresia?
apoptotic process involving loss of oogonia and oocytes
in a 20 year old _ follicles restart development per day
15
name the cells that are pre-differentiated on the outside of the follicle
stromal cells (form the theca interna and externa)
if the oocyte fails to associate with ___ cells it will die
pregranulosa
the zona pellucida forms between what?
oocyte and granulosa cells
what is the zone pellucida?
a layer of extracellular matrix
where do granulosa cells arrange?
around the oocyte
how is oestrogen made?
theca interna secretes oestrogen precursors
these are then converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells
what happens to the antrum once it is excreted?
forms a secondary follicle
the largest antral follicles are called…
graafian follicles
the chosen oocyte is release from what kind of follicle?
the largest graafian follicle (ie an antral follicle)
the oocyte released for ovulation is a primary/secondary oocyte
secondary (it is a product of the meisis of the primary follicle)
what happens to the tunica albuginea in ovulation?
it splits to allow the secondary oocyte to exit
what does the corpus luteum form if fertilisation does not occur? how does it differ from the corpus luteum
corpus albicans (white rather than yellow in colour and does not secrete hormones)
what structure secretes HCG once the oocyte has been fertilised?
placenta
what does HCG do?
prevents degeneration of the corpus luteum by maintaining progesterone levels
name the sections of the fallopian tube from lateral to medial
ampulla
isthmus
intramural portion
ampula is lined by…
simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and secretory cells
the endometrium is made up of what kind of glands? what are these glands embedded in?
tubular secretory glands
connective tissue
the myometrium is made up of how many layers of smooth muscle?
3
the perimetrium is made up of what structures?
loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium?
which layer of the endometrium is left behind after menstruation
stratum basalis
which layer of the endometrium is lost in menstruation?
stratum functionalis
describe the change in the endometrium during the proliferative phase?
stratum basalis proliferates
vasculature/glands grow = inc thickness
stratum functionalis becomes very thick
name the 3 layers of the uterine wall from inner to outer?
endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium
at what phase in the menstrual cycle is glycogen release?
secretory
what happens to the glands in the secretory phase?
they coil and corkscrew rather than the straight appearance they had in the proliferative phase
how does the endometrium collapse in the menstrual phase?
arterioles constrict = blood restriction = tissue breakdown, blood leakage and tissue sloughing
main epithelium types in cervix?
stratified squamous at the vaginal end
simple columnar at the uterine end
most common site of dysplasia in the cervix?
transition zone from SS to SC epithelium
what glands are present in the mucous secreting epithelium of the cervix?
endocervical glands
name the 4 layers of the vagina?
non keratinised SS epithelium
lamina propria
fibromuscular layer
adventitia
what is the lamina propria?
CT rich in elastic fibres and thin walled blood vessels
what lubricates the vagina?
endocerbical glands
fluid from the lamina proprias BVs
why is glycogen present in the SS epithelium?
commensal bacteria convert it to lactic acid which inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria
what is the name of the skin of the vulva that produces pubic hair?
mons pubis
