Histology of the female reproductive system

Question 1

Female histology constantly changes in response to

Answer 1

hormone changes.

This histology is based around the time of the cyclic process.

Question 2

overview of the ovary

Answer 2

• Contains female gametes
• Were the ovum develops
  
  • Immature egg starts off as an oogonium
    
    • Diploid set
    • Full setoff chromosomes
    • 2 sets of chromatids – one from mum and one from dad
  • Follicle protects the oocyte and mature together
    
    • Primordial follicle
      
      • Flat squamous follicular cells
    • Primary follicle is large
      
      • 1-2 cuboidal follicular cell layers
    • Secondary follicles
      
      • Cluster of granulosa cell layers
      • Small irregular antral space
        
        • Internal and external theca layers
    • Matura follicle
      
      • Single large antrum
      • Within the follicle the remaining granulosa cells surrounding the follicle are called the corona radiata
      • Stalk of cells anchoring the oocyte to the follicle wall is the cumulus oophorus
      • prominent theca interna and theca externa layers
  • During follicle development the oocytes stays in the primary oocyte up until the mature follicle
    
    • Primary oocyte (we are born with) stay in a state of arrested prophase (still diploid) until puberty
    • During the menstrual cycle the primary oocyte finishes prophase I
    • At ovulation- secondary oocyte
      
      • Continues into meiosis 2- becomes haploid
      • Arrested in metaphase 2
      • This happens right before the secondary oocyte is released from the follicle out of the ovary
  • On releasing the secondary oocyte the follicle becomes the corpus luteum
    
    • CL- secrete progesterone and androgens which prepares the uterus for implantation
    • If the egg is not fertilised the corpus luteum degenerated into the corpus albicans
  • Following ovulation the secondary oocyte is released and guided by the fimbria toward the uterus down the fallopian tubes
• If sperm reaches the secondary oocyte, the sperm will penetrate the outer coating
• This initiates the oocyte to complete meiosis 2- complete haploid ovum prior to fusion of the sperm with the oocyte genetic information to form a diploud embryo.

Question 3

fallopian tube histology pic

Answer 3

Question 4

uterus overview

Answer 4

Uterus

• Endometrial tissue is a dynamic tissue which changes in response to different hormones
• There are three cyclic uterine stages that occurs simultaneously with the ovary processes
  
  • Proliferate phase
    
    • Shallowing proliferating endometrium with tubular glands open to the surface
    • Occurs during the simultaneous development of the oocyte and ends with the release of the secondary oocyte from the ovum
  • Secretory phase
    
    • Thick endometrium with glands that have become highly coilded and filled with secretions (glycoproteins etc)
    • Occurs whilst the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and ends if there is no fertilisation

Question 5

uterus in proliferative stage

Answer 5

• Shallowing proliferating endometrium with tubular glands open to the surface
• Occurs during the simultaneous development of the oocyte and ends with the release of the secondary oocyte from the ovum

Question 6

uterus in secretory phase

Answer 6

• Thick endometrium with glands that have become highly coiled and filled with secretions (glycoproteins etc)
• Occurs whilst the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and ends if there is no fertilisation

Question 7

Cervix overview

Answer 7

• Found at the inferior surface of the uterus
• Internal – endocervix- simple columnar glandular epitheliim
  
  • Sharp transition between the internal and external surface called the transition zone
• External- ectocervix- stratified squamous epithelium

Question 8

vagina overview

Answer 8

• Stratified squamous epithelium
• Prominent smooth muscle layer
• At the distal end of the vagina it gradually changes into the epidermis of the skin and covers the external genitalia

Question 9

overview of female repro system

Answer 9