Histology of the Ovary Flashcards
what is the ovarian cortex?
the area around the outside
where the follicles are
(business end)
what are the supporting cells for oocytes?
(service area)
what are the primordial follicles?
the very first stage of development
dormant and a few develop and differentiate at puberty
present from birth
how do we classify primordial follicles?
they only have one layer of follicles
what is the zone pellucida?
glycoprotein coat that surrounds the developing oocyte
what is the antrum?
fluid filled space
what are the follicular cells that are closest to the developing oocyte called?
follicular granulose cells
what are the follicular theca cells?
go all the way around the follicle
go all around the outside edges
what do the theca cells produce?
androgens which get passed to the granulose cells
how do the granulose cells produce oestrogens?
they have an enzyme called aromatase which converts androgens to oestrogens
what does mallory stain do?
stains red blood cells an orangey red colour
what are the 2 types of theca cells?
theca interna and externa
which internal cells contain all the blood vessels?
theca interna
closest to the antrum
what is the theca externa?
external wall of the follicle
when can we call the follicle a secondary follicle?
when it has developed an antrum
what is follicular atresia or spontaneous degeneration?
hormonally controlled cell death
granulose cells die first and they can’t support the oocyte so the follicle will die
what is the corpus luteum?
endocrine structure that supports a pregnancy
collapsed follicles
produces lots of progesterone
what characterises luteal cells?
have a central nucleus and they radiate out from the centre
lots of cytoplasm with white spaces that is fat
why do the luteal cells have fat present?
building blocks of steroid hormones is cholesterol
these must have fat in order to make lots of hormones
why does the theca internal have many blood vessels?
play an important part in the formation of the corpus luteum if the follicle proceeds to ovulation
what enzyme converts androgens to oestrogens in the follicle?
aromatase
where do the lutein cells arise from?
granulosa and theca cells
