Histology of the Uterus Flashcards
what is the myometrium?
mainly smooth muscle
but will also be some supporting stroll cells and vascular contractions
what is on the outside edge of the uterus?
perimetrium (serosa)
what is the inner layer of the uterine wall?
endometrium
what is the endometrium and how does it appear histologically?
mucous membrane of the uterine wall
paler stained
facing inward toward uterine cavity
what is proliferating during the proliferation phase?
endometrial or uterine glands
what is the stratum basalis and how does it appear histologically?
between the endometrium and myometrium
the area where the gland is found
stains more dark purple because it has more cells
what is the vasculature of the stratum basalis?
straight arteries
what is the stratum functionalis?
the superficial, thick layer where the top portions of the glands can be found
which is temporary
the area that gets lost every menstrual cycle and regrows
what happens after ovulation?
the follicle collapses and becomes the corpus luteum
what is the function of the corpus luteum?
gives us increased levels of progesterone which drives the development of the uterus in the second half of the menstrual cycle
what is the secretory stage?
after the egg is released
what are the hormones doing in the second half of the menstrual cycle?
making the glandular tissue in the endometrium more secretory
what happens to the endometrium during the secretory stage and how does this appear histologically?
more darkly stained areas as there is more cells filling the endometrium more
glands start on the stratum basalis but can be seen working their way up and secreting out onto the surface of the epithelium
glads are highly active and stained pink
glands are becoming more coiled and twisting around
what is the pink stain present In the glandular space in the secretory stage?
carbohydrate like a glycogen rich secretion that’s needed to support an embryo if it decides to implant
what kind of blood supply is in amongst all these glands
lots of arteries moving around the glandular tissue
-support the development
-allow hormones to get in and out
-important for menstruation
how is the blood supply different in the stratum functionalism and stratum basalis?
stratum functionalism - spiral arteries
stratum basalis - straight arteries
what is one of the main roles of progesterone after ovulation?
keeping endometrium nice and healthy
maintains the cells as big and spongy and the spiral arteries have lots of room to move around
the glands and blood can freely flow around
keep embryo alive until placenta kicks in
what happens in the ovary if pregnancy does not occur?
corpus luteum degenerates and stops producing progesterone
what happens if we lose progesterone?
cells start to decompress and shrink, spiral arteries start to die off as the dead cells put on allot of pressure and more difficult for blood to move around the coils. blood gets trapped in arteries and we don’t get good tissue perfusion
eventually this blood gets ejected at force
gets carried away through the endometrial cavity, through the cervix and out the vagina
what happens during the menstrual phase?
endometrial layer is very small
al of the stratum functionalis is gone
what kind of tissue is the endometrial stroma?
the framework of connective tissue found beneath the epithelial lining of your endometrium
what tissue layer of the uterine wall is the thickest and why?
myometrium, smooth muscle layer that expands
what happens to the surface layer of the endometrium at menstruation?
what shape are the cells of the endometrium epithelium?
columnar
