Histology of the Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards
What is a eukaryotic cell
A cell with a true nucleus
Where are the follicles in the ovary
The cortex
What are the various parts of the ovary that we need to know
Superior fibrous cortex covered by epithelium
Medulla
Cortex
Hilum
What is important about the medulla
It is highly vascular
It contains connective tissue and nerves, lymph etc but no FOLLICLES
What is the hilum
It is the attachment of the broad ligament to the ovary, formed by the stroma of the medulla.
A group of helicine arteries enter the ovary via the hilum from the broad ligament and supply blood to the organ.
Where do helicine arteries branch from
the uterine arteries
What epithelium lines the ovary
Simple cuboidal
What are oogonia?
In early embryonic development (~week 6) germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia. These oogonia will go on to matur to oocytes.
How do oogonia mature to oocytes
via meiosis
What is oogenesis
The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia.
What is folliculogenesis
The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells
What is atresia
Loss of oogonia and oocytes by an apoptosis based process. The cell is resorbed following cell death.
What is the name of the follicle when it is finished maturing
Graffian follicle
What are the phases of follicular development
Primordial
Primary
Growing primary
Pre antral —- these are all the Pre antral phases
Early antral
Graafian—–these are the antral phases
At this point the follicle is about 20mm
What happens to the oocyte if it fails to associate with pregranulosa cells
It will die
What type of cells are the pregranulosa cells
Initially they are squamous but if the follicle enters the growth phase they will become cuboidal
What defines the primary follicles
the cuboidal granulosa cells - zona granulosa
When are primary follicles present in the ovaries
from birth until puberty
What parts of the follicle begin to form around the primary follicle as it develops
The theca (interna and externa) The zona pellucida
What secretes oestrogen precursors
theca interna
What converts the oestrogen precusors to oestrogen
granulosa cells
What is the antrum
A space filled with follicular fluid that forms and enlarges in the granulosa layer
What cells are present around the zona pellucida
cumulus cells or corona radiata
Explain what happens to the oocyte in the largest graafian follicle before ovulation
- it will complete meiosis 1 to produce one cell called the secondary oocyte
- this will enter the second phase of meiosis but stop at metaphase II
- it will complete full meiosis to become a fully mature oocyte after it has been release (ovulation) and fertilised by sperm
What happens to the follicle after ovulation
It becomes a corpus luteum
What does the corpus luteum secrete
Progesterone (and oestrogens)
What does P and Oest do
Prepares the uterus for implantation
What does the corpus luteum become of it does not implant ie it is not fertilised
the corpus albicans
What happens if implantation occurs
The placenta secretes HCG which prevents the degeneration of the corpus luteum and maintains progesterone levels (maintaining the pregnancy)
Where does fertilization usually occur
In the ampulla of the fallopian tubes
What is the epithelium in the ampulla
folded mucosa simple columnar epithelium ciliated secretory cells surrounded by smooth muscle (2 layers)
what is the difference between the lining of the isthmus and the ampulla
less ciliate cells
mostly secretory
(three layers of smooth muscle)
What are the layers of the uterus?
Endometrium (inner secretoy mucosa)
Myometrium (3 layers of smooth muscle)
Perimetrium (loose connective tissue covered by a mesothelium)
What is the endometrium divided into
the stratum functionalis- undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss
the stratum basalis -reserve tissues that regenerate the functionalis
What happens to the uterus during the proliferative phase
The glands stroma and vasculature grow and this increases the thickness of the endometrium
What is the epithelium that lines the glands in the uterus
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What causes the stroma in the uterus to proliferate
oestrogen
What happens to the glands in the uterus during the secretery phase
they become coiled and secrete glycogen
What is the epithelium of the cervix
stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface
transitions to mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium,
Where does cervical cancer most frequently occur
the transitions zone
What is the difference between cervical secretions from the endocervical glands in the prolifeative phase vs the luteal phase
Proliferative = thin and wtery
Luteal phase = thick and viscous
What are the four layers of the vagina
Non keratinuzed stratified squamous epithelium.
lamina propria
fibromuscular layer
Adventitia
How does the vagina prevent pathogenic bacterial growth
commensal bacteria metabolise glycogen to lactic acid - pathogenic bacteria cannot grow in acidic environment well
how is the vagina lubricated
by mucous from the cervical glans and fluid from the vessles of the lamina propria
no glands in the wall of the vagina
At what level does the keratinized epithelium of the vagina become non keratinized stratifies squamous epithelium
the hymen
