Histology Of The Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards
Where are the ovaries found
They ate found of either side of the uterus close to the lateral pelvis wall
What are the ovaries attached to and by what
They are attached to the broad ligament by the mesocarp
To the uterus by the utero-ovarian ligament
To the pelvic wall by the suspensory ligament
What makes up the ovary
The ovarian Cortex
The ovarian medulla
What makes up the ovarian cortex
Spindle stromatolites cells
Ovarian follicles
Some leutinised cells
What makes up the ovarian medulla
Loose fibroelastic tissue
Blood vessels
Lymphatics
Nerve
Where are primordial follicles located
In the periphery of the cortex
What do primordial follicles contain
They contain primary oocytes in a resting state
What are primordial follicles surrounded by
Single layer of epithelial cells
What stimulates follicular development
FSH from the anterior pituitary
When FSH is detected what happens to the primordial follicle
The oocytes enlarges and the follicular epithelial cells proliferate
Stromal cells become organised into connective tissue and the Zona pellucid a forms directly around the oocytes
What is present in a secondary follicle
An antrum - space filled with follicular fluid
Oocyte is supported by a stalk of granulosa cells
Connective tissue differentiates into the inner theca interna and outer theca externa
What are mature follicles known as
Graafian follicles
What are characteristics of mature follicles
Ovum is surrounded by a thick Zona pellucida
Layer of granulosa cells around the oocyte known as corona radiata
Has basal lamina
Theca interna and externa
How many primordial follicles are present at birth
400,000
How many of the primordial follicles present at birth actually mature
Approx 400
What does a follicle become
A corpus luteum
What does a corpus luteum do
They secrete progesterone and oestrogen
What happens to a corpus luteum if pregnancy does not occur
They regress
How many days after ovulation does regression of the corpus luteum occur
From day 8-9 after ovulation
What happens during regression of the corpus luteum
Granulosa cells decrease in size, develop a pyknotic nuclei and accumulate abnormal lipids
Cells undergo dissolution and are phagocytosed
What is a corpus albicans
A well circumscribed structure with convoluted borders composed entirely of densely packed collagen and occasional follicles
Where does the Fallopian tube run
Through the length of the broad ligament
What is the function of the Fallopian tube
It transports the ovum to the uterus
What occurs in the Fallopian tube
Fertilisation
What are the 4 segments of the Fallopian tube
Intramural
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Where is the intramural located
Inside the uterine wall
What shape is the infundibulum
Trumpet shaped opening to peritoneum which has fimbriae
What are the 2 types of cells found in the mucosa of the Fallopian tube
Secretory and ciliated cells
What are the 3 layers of the uterus
Endometrium
Myometrium
Serosa
What are the characteristics of the endometrium
Deep basal layer made up of the stratum basalis
Superficial functional layer made up of the stratum compactum and stratum spongiosum
What stimulates the proliferation stage
Oestrogen stimulates this phase
What stimulates the secretory phase
Progesterone stimulates this phase
Characteristics of the early secretory phase
Sub-nuclear glycogen vacuoles
Characteristics of the mid secretory phase
Vacuoles above and below the nucleus and later intraluminal secretions, glands more rounded stroma-oedema
Characteristics of the late secretory phase
Elongated and saw toothed glands with more intrluminal secretions
Stroma has spiral arterioles, deciduous change
What horomone is withdrawn to stimulate the menstrual phase
Progesterone stimulation is withdrawn
What is the myometrium and how many layers is it made up of
The myometrium is a thick muscular wall with 3 illdefined layers of smooth muscle
The inner longitudinal
The middle circular
The outer longitudinal
What makes up the endocervix
Loose fibromuscular stroma lined with simple columnar ciliated epithelium
What makes up the ectocervix
Dense smooth muscle stroma lined by non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
With squamocloumnar junctions
What are the different layers of the vagina
Mucosa - lined by non-keratinising stratified squamous epithelium. Stroma contains elastic fibres and rich vascular network
Muscular wall - smooth muscle cells, inner = circular, outer = longitudinal
Adventitia - loose connective tissue
What makes up the vulva
Mons pubis
Clitoris
Labia minora
Labia majora
Vulvar vestibule
Hymen
Urethral meatus
Skeins gland
Bartholins gland
Introitus
What tissue makes up the labia majora
Lined by keratinising stratified squamous epithelium and has skin adnexae
What tissue makes up the labia minora
Non-keratinising stratified squamous epithelium
What tissue is found in Bartholins gland
Acini lined by mucus secreting epithelium
What tissue lines the minor vestibular glands
Lined by mucus secreting epithelium
What tissue lines the skeins glands
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What tissue lines the hymen
Lined by non-keratinising squamous epithelium
What makes up the clitoris
Erectile tissue which is rich in blood supply
What is this showing
The ovary
What are the 2 labelled sections on the image
The top section is the ovarian cortex
The bottom section is the ovarian medulla
What is this showing in general and what are the arrows pointing to
It is showing primordial follicles
The first arrow = primary oocyte in resting phase
The second arrow = single layer of epithelium cells
What is this showing in general and what are the arrows pointing to
This is a primary follicle
The first arrow = follicular epithelial cells proliferating
The second arrow = the enlarged oocyte
What is this showing
Secondary follicle
What is this showing
Corpus albicans
What is this showing
Fallopian tube
What is this showing
The Fallopian tube
What phase is this endometrium in
Proliferative phase
What phase is this endometrium in
Secretory phase
What phase is this endometrium in
Menstrual phase
What is this showing
Myometrium
What is this showing
Endocervix
What is this showing
Ectocervix
What is this showing in general and what are the arrows showing
The vagina
The first arrow = mucosa
The second arrow = muscular wall
The third arrow = Adventitia
