Histology Of The Female Reproductive System Flashcards
The FRS consists of
the internal and external genitalia
Internal genitalia of the FRS consists of:
- 2 ovaries
- 2 oviducts
- The uterus
- The vagina
Functions of the FRS
- Gamete production - oocyte
- Environment for fertilization
- Embryo nurturing
- Steroidal hormone
The shape of the ovaries
Almond
Size of the ovary
Measures ~ 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 1 cm thick
The ovary is covered by what kind of epithelium?
…simple cuboidal epithelium called the germinal epithelium.
The germinal epithelium is continuous with the ___ and overlays a layer of ___
mesothelium, dense connective tissue capsule - the tunica albuginea
___ is responsible for the whitish color of the ovary
Tunica albuginea
The ovary is divided into:
2 parts:
• The cortex
• The medulla
The ovarian cortex is filled with…
a highly cellular connective tissue stroma and many ovarian follicles. It is most prominent.
The medulla contains…
… loose connective tissue and blood vessels
There is no sharp demarcation between the cortex and the medulla. True or false?
True
Types of ovarian follicles
- Primordial follicle
- Unilaminar primary follicle
- Multilaminar primary follicle
- Antral follicle
- Mature/graafian follicle
- Atretic follicle
- Corpus luteum
- Corpus albicans
An ovarian follicle consists of
an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells surrounded by basal lamina
The ovarian follicles formed during fetal life are called ___ and they are present in ___
primordial follicles (PFs), in the superficial areas of the cortex
Primordial follicles consist of…
…a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells
The oocyte in the primordial follicle is…
spherical and measures about 25 µm in diameter
Properties of primordial follicle
- Large nucleus with chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase
- Organelles are concentrated near the nucleus and includes:
- Basal lamina surrounding the follicular cells marks a clear boundary between the follicle and the vascularized stroma, acting as a blood-follicle barrier
Organelles in the primordial follicle are
Numerous mitochondria
•Golgi complexes and
•Extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum
Follicular growth and development, as triggered by FSH, happens as follows…
- Growth of the oocyte
- Proliferation and changes in the follicular cells
- Proliferation and differentiation of the stromal fibroblasts around each follicle
Selection of the primordial follicles and the dominant follicle destined to ovulate both involve:
•Complex hormonal balances and •Subtle differences among follicles in: - FSH receptor numbers - Aromatase activity and - Estrogen synthesis and other variables
Under the influence of FSH, an oocyte will…
…grow most rapidly during the first part of follicular development to reach a diameter of about 120µm
•Oocyte differentiation involves the following:
- Growth of cell and nuclear enlargement
- More Mitochondria becomes
- More extensive RER and enlarged Golgi
- Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules containing various proteases
Stages of follicular growth
Unilaminar primary follicle Granulosa epithelium Zona pellucida Theca cells Oocyte
The zona pellucida (ZP) measures ___ and consists of ___
5-10 µm thick, 4 glycoproteins
What differentiates to become the vascularized follicular theca?
The stromal cells immediately surrounding the primary follicle
The follicular theca will further differentiate into
2 distinct structures around the growing follicle:
- Theca interna
- Theca externa
The Theca interna is
A well vascularized endocrine tissue secreting androstenedione
The Theca externa is
A fibrous tissue consisting of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells
With increasing growth in oocyte size and granulosa cell numbers, the follicle moves…
… deeper in the ovarian cortex
Secondary or antral follicles are formed from…
Follicular fluid accumulation in the spaces in the granulosa layer
Follicular fluid contains:
- Hyaluronate
- Growth factors
- Plasminogen
- Fibrinogen
- Anticoagulant heparan sulphate proteoglycan
- Steroids- estrogens, progesterone and androstenedione
- Binding proteins
A mature follicle has thick thecal layers. True or false?
True
A mature follicle normally takes about __ to develop from a primordial follicle
90 days
When do follicles become atretic?
at any stage
During atresia, follicular cells and oocytes undergo…
apoptosis