Histology of the female reproductive tract

Question 1

What are the functions of ovaries

Answer 1

To produce oocytes and produce steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone

Question 2

What is the medulla of the ovary

Answer 2

Loose connective tissue which is highly vascular

contains lymphatics and is continuous with the hilum

Question 3

What is the cortex of the ovary

Answer 3

Highly cellular connective tissue stroma

contains the ovarian follicles

Question 4

What is the tunica albuginea

Answer 4

dense connective tissue layer immediately surrounding the cortex

Question 5

What is the germinal epithelium

Answer 5

simple cuboidal cell lining immediately surrounding the tunica albuginea

Question 6

What is oogenesis

Answer 6

Development of oogonia to oocyte

Question 7

What is folliculogenesis

Answer 7

Growth of the follicle which contains the oocyte and any support cells

Question 8

when do females have the highest number of gametes they’ll ever have

Answer 8

7 months gestation

After this the number declines due to atresia

Question 9

What is the order of follicular development

Answer 9

Primordial follicles 
Early primary follicle 
Late primary follicle 
Secondary follicle 
Graafian follicle 
Corpus luteum 
Corpus albicans

Question 10

Features of primary follicles

Answer 10

Zona pellucida
Granulosa cell layer
Thecal cell layer - very vascular

Question 11

when does a follicle become a secondary follicle

Answer 11

When it develops an antrum = fluid filled space

Question 12

What is the Graafian follicle

Answer 12

Follicle formed after completion of meiosis 1 and before ovulation occurs

Question 13

When does ovulation occur

Answer 13

14 days before the end of the cycle
eg day 14 in a 28 day cycle
day 21 in a 35 day cycle
day 7 in a 21 day cycle

Question 14

What happens to the corpus luteum if no fertilisation occurs

Answer 14

It becomes corpus albicans which eventually degenerates

Question 15

What epithelium lines the uterine tubes

Answer 15

ciliated and secretory epithelium

simple columnar epithelium

Question 16

Where does fertilisation occur

Answer 16

in the ampulla of the uterine tube

Question 17

What are the 3 layers of the uterus

Answer 17

Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium

Question 18

Describe the endometrium

Answer 18

Consists of:
Stratum functionalis - sheds during menstruation
Stratum basalis - remains constant throughout the whole cycle and helps to regenerate SF
consists of glandular epithelium and connective tissue (stroma)

Question 19

Describe the myometrium

Answer 19

3 layers of smooth muscle with collagen and elastic tissue

Highly vascular

Question 20

Describe the perimetrium

Answer 20

outer visceral covering of loose connective tissue covered by mesothelium

Question 21

Describe the histology of the proliferative phase of the endometrium

Answer 21

stratum baslis proliferates
growth of glands, stroma and vasculature
this regenerates the stratum functionalis
oestrogen dependant
pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Question 22

Describe the histology of the secretory phase in the endometrium

Answer 22

glands become coiled - corkscrew appearance
glycogen is secreted
become effective glandular tissue

Question 23

Describe the histology of the menstrual phase in the endometrium

Answer 23

Vasoconstriction of arterioles occurs depriving the stratum functionalis of oxygen causing ischaemia and tissue breaks down resulting in period bleeding and tissue sloughing

Question 24

Describe the histology of the cervix

Answer 24

simple columnar epithelium transitions to stratified squamous epithelium on vaginal surface of cervix

Question 25

What are endocervical glands

Answer 25

deep furrows of epithelium that secrete mucus for lubrication
- undergoes cyclical changes

Question 26

What are the 4 layers of the vagina

Answer 26

1. Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
2. Lamina propria - connective tissue
3. Fibromuscular layer - inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
4. Adventitia

Question 27

There are glands in the vagina, true or false

Answer 27

FALSE

lubrication comes from the endocervical glands

Question 28

what is the mons pubis

Answer 28

skin which contains highly oblique hair follicles and contains substantial subcutaneous fat pad over the pubic symphysis

Question 29

what glands are contained in the labia majora

Answer 29

apocrine and sebaceous glands

Question 30

labia minora lacks hair follicles, true or false

Answer 30

TRUE

Question 31

what is the clitoris

Answer 31

2 tubes of erectile tissue covered by a fibrocollagenous sheath with rich innervation and thin epidermis