Histology of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What type of epithelium is the Ovarian Surface Epithelium?
Simple squamous-to-low cuboidal
What does the cortex of the ovary contain?
Connective tissue
Follicles with primary oocytes arrested at the end of prophase I
What does the medulla of the ovary contain?
CT
Interstitial cells
Neurovasculature and lymphatics
What cells surround and support the oocyte?
Follicular/granulosa cells
What cells are recruited by the primordial follicles to initiate folliculogenesis?
Granulosa cells
In what cell division phase is a primary oocyte arrested in?
Prophase I of Meiosis I
What will granulosa cells eventually segregate into?
- Cumulus Oophorous
- Mural Granulosa
- Corona Radiata
What phase do secondary oocytes arrest in?
Metaphase II of Meiosis II
What is the coat of glycoproteins encasing a primary oocyte called?
Zona Pellucida
Histologically, what do you see when a primordial follicle changes to a primary follicle?
Single layer of granulosa cells => Simple cuboidal layer of granulosa cells
What differentiates a secondary follicle from a late primary follicle?
Formation of the antrum in the secondary follicle
Organized theca cells
What does the theca interna produce?
Androstenedione => Estradiol
Call-Exner bodies are a hallmark of what?
Secondary follicle, will fill with follicular fluid and coalesce to become the antrum
Where does follicular fluid come from?
Blood vessels of the theca interna
What are the hallmarks of a mature follicle?
Largest antrum
Fully segregated granulosa cells
Organized thecal layers
What type of granulosa cells actively synthesize and secrete estrogen and produce follicular fluid?
Mural granulosa cells
What granulosa cells anchor the primary oocyte to the mature follicle?
Cumulus oophorous
In what phase does proteolysis of theca cells and tunica albuginea cause rupture?
Ovulatory phase
Corpus hemorragicum is formed during what phase? As a result of what?
Luteal phase
Blood enters empty antrum and coagulates
Theca Lutein cells arise from what?
Theca Interna cells
Deficiency in progesterone during pregnancy may result in what?
Miscarriage
No progesterone to signal to the brain to stop luteolysis
Corpus Albicans is the remnant of what?
Corpus luteum after luteolysis
When does corpus involution typically occur?
14 days after ovulation
What is the mechanism for follicular atresia?
Apoptosis
What occurs during follicular atresia?
Failure of a follicle to ovulate so it regresses/degenerates to ensure only viable follicles are available
What are the 4 regions of the oviduct?
Proximal infundibulum w/ fimbriae
Long, thin-walled ampulla
Short, thick-walled isthmus
Intramural portion opening up into uterus
What are the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct lined with?
Mucosal folds
Where do most fertilizations occur?
Ampulla of the oviduct
Where are the mucosal folds the greatest in the oviduct?
Ampulla
What type of epithelium makes of the mucosal layer of the Oviduct?
Simple columnar
What type of cells make up the wall of the oviduct?
Simple columnar epithelium
Lamina propria
Ciliated cells
Nonciliated secretory cells (peg cells)
What is response of the ciliated cell of the oviduct to high estrogen?
Enlarge, grow in height, produce cilia during foliculogenesis
What is the response of the ciliated cell of the oviduct to increased progesterone?
Luteolysis, Lose cilia and decrease height
What is the non-ciliated (peg) cell’s respones to high estrogen?
Secrete nutrients for egg during migration
What type of epithelium comprises the endometrium?
Simple columnar with simple tubular endometrial glands
What is the muscular layer of the uterus?
Myometrium - smooth muscle
Thick central circular layer, highly vascularized with inner and outer longitudinal or oblique layers
What part of the arcuate arteries supply the basal layer of the endometrium?
Straight segment
What part of the arcuate arteries supply the functional layer of the endometrium?
Coiled segment
What phase of the menstrual cycle is estrogen-dependent?
Proliferative phase (Day 5-14)
What phase of the menstrual cycle is the endometrium optimal for implantation?
Secretory phase (Day 15-28)
What are the phases of the menstrual cycle and how long do each last?
Menstrual phase (1-4)
Proliferative phase (5-14)
Secretory phase (15-28)
Ischemic phase (1)
What is the purpose of the decidual reaction?
Endometrial stromal cells increase in size and transform into decidual cells at site of implantation to protect the embryo
What tissue is characterized by folded simple columnar mucosa with deep crypts?
Endocervix
What type of epithelium lines the ectocervix?
Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
A cervical crypt that becomes occluded is known as what?
Nabothian cyst
What is the hallmark of a vaginal histological slide?
No glands
Mucosal, muscularis, and adventitial layer
How does the epithelium of the vagina appear during ovulation?
Stratified epithelium fully differentiated
Acidophilic squamous cells are seen
How does the epithelium of the vagina appear after ovulation?
Decreased number of squamous cells
Lots of basophilic polygonal cells
High amount of neutrophils/lymphocytes
What layer of the cervix is most prone to dysplasia?
Ectocervix
What type of epithelium comprises the mons pubis?
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with hair follicles covering subcutaneous fat overlying the symphysis pubis
How would the labia majora appear on a histological slide?
Pigmented skin with hair follicles and glands (apocrine sweat and sebaceous) covering the fat pad
How would the labia minora appear on a histological slide?
Pigmented skin folds with abundant blood vessels, elastic fibers, and sebaceous glands
How would the hymen appear on a histological slide?
External - keratinized stratified squamous
Internal - nonkeratinized stratified squamous
