Histology of the female reproductive tract Flashcards
What are the two related functions of the ovary?
- Produce gametes (termed oogenesis in females)
- Produce steroids, mainly oestrogens and progestogens (mainly progesterone)
The ovary has a ______ and a ______
The ______ forms the core of the organ and contains ______ ________ _____, contorted ______, ____ and _______.
The ________ is continuous with the hilum of the organ.
The ovary has a medulla and a cortex
The medulla forms the core of the organ and contains loose connective tissue, contorted arteries, veins and lymphatics.
The medulla is continuous with the hilum of the organ.
The cortex has scattered ______ ______ in a highly cellular ______ ______ stroma.
The outer shell of the cortex is a ______ _______ tissue layer called the _______ _______.
The cortex has scattered ovarian follicles in a highly cellular connective tissue stroma.
The outer shell of the cortex is a dense connective tissue layer called the tunica albuginea.
What covers the tunica albuginea?
Single layer of cuboidal cells called the germinal epithelium
List the stages of development from primordial follicle to corpus albicans
- primordial follicle
- early primary follicle
- late primary follicle
- secondary follicle
- follicle approaching maturity
- mature graafian follicle
- ruptured follicle
- corpus haemorrhagicum
- corpus luteum
- corpus albicans
What enters the hilum of the ovary from the broad ligament?
The helicine arteires- supply blood to the organ
Early in embryonic development (around ____ _) _____ cells from the yolk sac invade the _______ and proliferate by _______ to form _____. These cells will undergo development and division via ______ to form mature _____, which are also termed ___.
Early in embryonic development (around week 6) germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia. These cells will undergo development and division via meiosis to form mature oocytes, which are also termed ova.
What is oogenesis?
Development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia.
What is folliculogenesis?
Growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells.
What is atresia?
Loss of oogonia and oocytes- an apoptotic process.
The cell is resorbed following death.
Before birth ______ begins in the ______, but halts in ______ _. IF the oocyte undergoes further development, ______ will restart, but many will reman in this state for decades.
Before birth meiosis begins in the oocytes, but halts in prophase I. IF the oocyte undergoes further development, meiosis will restart, but many will reman in this state for decades.
When will an oocyte die?
If it fails to associate with pregranulosa (follicle cells)
As the follicle enters the growth phase the pregranulosa cells change from ______ –> ______
As the follicle enters the growth phase the pregranulosa cells change from squamous –> cuboidal
What defines primary follicles?
Cuboidal granulosa cells: zona granulosa
What do stromal cells associating with the outside of the primary follicle go on to form?
Theca Folliculi
What forms between the oocyte and the granulosa cells ?
Zona pellucida
Inner layers of the stromal cells (theca folliculi) transform into a layer called the ____ _______, which will go on to secrete ______ precursors which will be converted to _______ by the ______ ______. The outer layers remain _______-like and form the ____ ______.
Inner layers of the stromal cells (theca folliculi) transform into a layer called the theca interna, which will go on to secrete oestrogen precursors which will be converted to oestrogen by the granulosa cells. The outer layers remain fibroblast-like and form the theca externa.
As the follicle enlarges, a space, called the ______ (_), filled with _______ _____ begins to form and enlarge in the _______ ___ _____ (__), forming a secondary follicle.
As the follicle enlarges, a space, called the antrum (A), filled with follicular fluid begins to form and enlarge in the granulosa cell layer (GC), forming a secondary follicle.
Overall the follicle enlarges as the ______ enlarges, and the _______ and _____ layers (____ ______, TI, and ____ ______, TE) continue to ________.
Overall the follicle enlarges as the antrum enlarges, and the granulosa and thecal layers (theca interna, TI, and theca externa, TE) continue to proliferate.
What are the largest antral follicles?
Graafian follicles- can reach 20mm in diameter
___ day before ovulation, the _____ in the ______ Graafian follicle will complete _____ _, but instead of producing two equal cells, it will produce ___ ____ called a _______ ______, similar in size to the ______ ______ _____, and one tiny _____ ____ that carries the ______ ______ away to degenerate. The secondary oocyte will then begin the second phase of _______, but will stop at _______ __.
One day before ovulation, the oocyte in the largest Graafian follicle will complete meiosis 1, but instead of producing two equal cells, it will produce one cell called a secondary oocyte, similar in size to the original primary oocyte, and one tiny polar body that carries the second nucleus away to degenerate. The secondary oocyte will then begin the second phase of meiosis, but will stop at metaphase II.
When will a secondary oocyte complete meiosis?
When it has been released and fertilised by a sperm- producing a second polar body
After ovulation the follicle transforms into a _____ _____ with the ____ and ________ cells secreting _________ and _________, which helps prepare the uterus for _________.
After ovulation the follicle transforms into a corpus luteum with the theca and granulosa cells secreting oestrogens and progesterone, which helps prepare the uterus for implantation.
Assuming no implantation occurs, the _____ _____ will become a white coloured connective tissue called the _____ _____.
If implantation occurs, the placenta secretes ___ which prevents degeneration of the ______ ______ for a time and so maintains __________ levels, which in turn maintains the ________.
Assuming no implantation occurs, the corpus luteum will become a white coloured connective tissue called the corpus albicans.
If implantation occurs, the placenta secretes HCG which prevents degeneration of the corpus luteum for a time and so maintains progesterone levels, which in turn maintains the pregnancy.
The funnel shaped _________ moves so that its ______ is adjacent to the site where the follicle _______.
The ____ moves down the tube propelled by _____ ______ and currents created by the ______ ______.
The funnel shaped infundibulum moves so that its opening is adjacent to the site where the follicle ruptures.
The ovum moves down the tube propelled by gentle peristalsis and currents created by the ciliated epithelium.
