L22 - Histology of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
List the accessory glands in the female reproductive system?
Greater vestibular gland; minor vestibular glands
List all the structures included in the external genitalia of female?
Collectively known as the vulvula:
labia majora,
labia minora
mons pubis
clitoris.
Cell type and tissue type in the germinal epithelium of ovary?
Modified mesothelium with Cuboidal epithelium and oogonium
continuous with the mesothelium of the visceral peritoneum
Cell and tissue types in the cortex of ovary?
ovarian follicles (oogonium + flattened follicular epithelial cells) in various stages of development
embedded in connective tissue stroma: contains fibrocytes with collagen and reticular fibers
Describe the tissue of ovary medulla?
richly vascularised loose connective tissue: Larger blood vessels in the medulla distribute smaller vessels to all parts of the ovarian cortex
continuous with the mesovarium ligament that suspends the ovary
Describe the 2 outermost layer of ovaries?
Outermost = germinal epithelium
Right beneath = Tunica albuginea (dense, irregular connective tissue)
3 phases of follicular growth?
Follicular phase
Ovulation phase
Luteal phase
Define the functions of uterine tubes?
Conduit for spermatozoa to reach the primary oocyte = site of conception;
convey the fertilised egg to the uterus; nutrition for oocyte/conceptus
produce trophic substances that ensure development of the fertilised conceptus
Functions of the uterus?
house embryos and nourish embryos during pregnancy
Menstruation
Function of the vagina?
receives penis during copulation
menstrual flow
birth canal
Define the epithelial lining, cell types and functions in uterine tube?
simple columnar ciliated and nonciliated epithelium (peg cells) on basal lamina
Highly irregular lamina propria with extensive folds
Define the epithelial lining in uterus?
Simple columnar with groups of ciliated cells
Define the epithelial lining in cervix?
- Tall columnar mucus-secreting (uteral part)
2. Non-keratinised stratified squamous (vaginal part/ portio vaginalis + external surface of the vaginal fornix)
Define the epithelial lining in the vagina?
Non-keratinised stratified squamous
What tissue type makes up the clitoris?
Pair of erectile corpora cavernosa** + dorsal VAN + fascia
Fascia (deep to superficial): tunica albuginea, clitoral fascia, membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue and skin
filled with blood during sexual stimulation
Which external genitalia feature is formed by the fusion of labia minora?
fuse anteriorly to form the prepuce (hood) of the clitoris
extend laterally either side of the vaginal opening»_space; labia minora
Function of Greater vestibular gland?
secrete lubricating mucus from
small ducts during sexual arousal
Define the 2 ligaments connected to the ovary?
1) Ovarian/ round ligament: remnant of the Gubernaculum
2) Suspensory ligament of ovary: carry ovarian vessels that open into medulla
Female reproductive organ is matured under what stimulus?
Trigger to finish maturation by gonadotropic hormones
secreted from pituitary gland
3 regions of the uterine tube?
From uterus to ovaries:
Intramural portion
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Name of the projections at the infundibulum of uterine tube?
Fimbria
Appendix vesiculosa is also attached
Describe the change in lumen and mucosa along the length of fallopian tube?
Increase lumen size towards ovaries
Increase in number and complexity of mucosal folds toward ovaries
Outline the function of the cell types in uterine tubes?
- Peg cells = secrete viscous fluid to maintain oocyte
- Ciliated cells = transport oocyte from upper to lower ends of fallopian tube
Most common sites of ectopic pregnancies?
Decreasing occurence:
Ampullary region of uterine tube **
Isthmus of uterine tube
Fimbrial region
3 parts and 3 layers of the uterus?
Fundus, Body, Cervix
Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium
Describe the cell types and structure of the uterus endometirum epithelium and lamina propria?
1) Epithelium:
- Tall columnar secretory cells with few ciliated cells on basement membrane
2) Lamina propria:
- Thick with blood vessels and lymphatics
- ‘Endometrium glands’: deep surface invaginations
Describe the blood supply to the endometrium?
Uterine artery
> Arcuate artery
> Radial artery:
i) Straight artery: only supply stratum basalis
ii) Spiral artery: supply stratum functionalis/ endometrium glands
Which layer of the endometrium is renewed under menstruation?
Stratum functionalis is sloughed off
Stratum basalis remains
Describe the microcirculation at the uterine endometrium?
Spiral artery
» Glandular capillary plexus and Subepithelial capillary plexus
» anastomoses with ‘venous lake’»_space; veins
Indication of uterine artery embolization?
Against tumours in the uterus
Embolic agents injected into uterine artery to starve blood supply to tumours
Changes to endometirum during the 3 phases of uterine endometrium cycle?
Menstural (1-4 days) = desquamation/shedding of stratum functionalis
Proliferative (follicular) (4-14days) = Re-epitheliation of stratum functionalis
Secretory/ Luteal phase (14-28 days) = continued thickening of endometrium, enlargment of endometrium glands
Define endometriosis?
endometrial tissue appears at unusual locations in the lower
abdomen and pelvis
Endometrial cells peel off uterine lining and migrate to peritoneal cavity via uterine tube
Epithelium type of Perimetrium of uterus?
Covered by simple squamous epithelium of peritoneum
Describe the surface structure of the cervical canal?
Invaginated by Plicae palmate, lots of mucus producing cells similar to goblet cells in resp. epithelium
Describe changes to cervical mucus during pregnancy, at ovulation, after ovulation.
Pregnancy: Forms viscous plug to prevent bacteria entering uterus
At ovulation: More hydrated and easier for spermatozoa to
penetrate
After ovulation: Less hydrated and thus more difficult for
spermatozoa to penetrate
Describe the mucosa, muscularis and adventitia of vagina?
Mucosa = NKSS (lactic acid due to bacterial flora), irregular with mucosal folds
Muscularis = 2 layers of smooth muscle: inner circular, outer longitudinal + skeletal muscle around opening with transverse mucosal folds
Adventitia = high in elastic fibers, VAN, anchor vagina
Epithelium of labia majora and minora?
Majora = Keratinised stratified squamous with sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands
Labia minora = Stratified squamous epithelium with sebaceous glands and melanin pigmentation
Define the location of the glands found at the skin folds of the vagina?
Minor vestibular gland (Skene’s glands) at anterior wall of vagina around lower end of urethra
Greater vestibular gland lateral to vaginal orifice
List causes of menorrhagia?
- Hormonal imbalance (menopausal)
- Endometrial polyps
- Uterine cancer
- endometrial adenocarcinoma
