L22 - Histology of the Female Reproductive System

Question 1

List the accessory glands in the female reproductive system?

Answer 1

Greater vestibular gland; minor vestibular glands

Question 2

List all the structures included in the external genitalia of female?

Answer 2

Collectively known as the vulvula:

labia majora,
labia minora
mons pubis
clitoris.

Question 3

Cell type and tissue type in the germinal epithelium of ovary?

Answer 3

Modified mesothelium with Cuboidal epithelium and oogonium

continuous with the mesothelium of the visceral peritoneum

Question 4

Cell and tissue types in the cortex of ovary?

Answer 4

ovarian follicles (oogonium + flattened follicular epithelial cells) in various stages of development

embedded in connective tissue stroma: contains fibrocytes with collagen and reticular fibers

Question 5

Describe the tissue of ovary medulla?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Describe the 2 outermost layer of ovaries?

Answer 6

Outermost = germinal epithelium

Right beneath = Tunica albuginea (dense, irregular connective tissue)

Question 7

3 phases of follicular growth?

Answer 7

Follicular phase

Ovulation phase

Luteal phase

Question 8

Define the functions of uterine tubes?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Functions of the uterus?

Answer 9

house embryos and nourish embryos during pregnancy

Menstruation

Question 10

Function of the vagina?

Answer 10

receives penis during copulation

menstrual flow

birth canal

Question 11

Define the epithelial lining, cell types and functions in uterine tube?

Answer 11

simple columnar ciliated and nonciliated epithelium (peg cells) on basal lamina

Highly irregular lamina propria with extensive folds

Question 12

Define the epithelial lining in uterus?

Answer 12

Simple columnar with groups of ciliated cells

Question 13

Define the epithelial lining in cervix?

Answer 13

1. Tall columnar mucus-secreting (uteral part)

2. Non-keratinised stratified squamous (vaginal part/ portio vaginalis + external surface of the vaginal fornix)

Question 14

Define the epithelial lining in the vagina?

Answer 14

Non-keratinised stratified squamous

Question 15

What tissue type makes up the clitoris?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Which external genitalia feature is formed by the fusion of labia minora?

Answer 16

fuse anteriorly to form the prepuce (hood) of the clitoris

extend laterally either side of the vaginal opening&raquo_space; labia minora

Question 17

Function of Greater vestibular gland?

Answer 17

secrete lubricating mucus from

small ducts during sexual arousal

Question 18

Define the 2 ligaments connected to the ovary?

Answer 18

1) Ovarian/ round ligament: remnant of the Gubernaculum

2) Suspensory ligament of ovary: carry ovarian vessels that open into medulla

Question 19

Female reproductive organ is matured under what stimulus?

Answer 19

Trigger to finish maturation by gonadotropic hormones

secreted from pituitary gland

Question 20

3 regions of the uterine tube?

Answer 20

From uterus to ovaries:

Intramural portion
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum

Question 21

Name of the projections at the infundibulum of uterine tube?

Answer 21

Fimbria

Appendix vesiculosa is also attached

Question 22

Describe the change in lumen and mucosa along the length of fallopian tube?

Answer 22

Increase lumen size towards ovaries

Increase in number and complexity of mucosal folds toward ovaries

Question 23

Outline the function of the cell types in uterine tubes?

Answer 23

• Peg cells = secrete viscous fluid to maintain oocyte

- Ciliated cells = transport oocyte from upper to lower ends of fallopian tube

Question 24

Most common sites of ectopic pregnancies?

Answer 24

Decreasing occurence:

Ampullary region of uterine tube **

Isthmus of uterine tube

Fimbrial region

Question 25

3 parts and 3 layers of the uterus?

Answer 25

Fundus, Body, Cervix

Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium

Question 26

Describe the cell types and structure of the uterus endometirum epithelium and lamina propria?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Describe the blood supply to the endometrium?

Answer 27

Uterine artery

> Arcuate artery

> Radial artery:

i) Straight artery: only supply stratum basalis
ii) Spiral artery: supply stratum functionalis/ endometrium glands

Question 28

Which layer of the endometrium is renewed under menstruation?

Answer 28

Stratum functionalis is sloughed off

Stratum basalis remains

Question 29

Describe the microcirculation at the uterine endometrium?

Answer 29

Spiral artery
» Glandular capillary plexus and Subepithelial capillary plexus
» anastomoses with ‘venous lake’&raquo_space; veins

Question 30

Indication of uterine artery embolization?

Answer 30

Against tumours in the uterus

Embolic agents injected into uterine artery to starve blood supply to tumours

Question 31

Changes to endometirum during the 3 phases of uterine endometrium cycle?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Define endometriosis?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Epithelium type of Perimetrium of uterus?

Answer 33

Covered by simple squamous epithelium of peritoneum

Question 34

Describe the surface structure of the cervical canal?

Answer 34

Invaginated by Plicae palmate, lots of mucus producing cells similar to goblet cells in resp. epithelium

Question 35

Describe changes to cervical mucus during pregnancy, at ovulation, after ovulation.

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Describe the mucosa, muscularis and adventitia of vagina?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Epithelium of labia majora and minora?

Answer 37

Majora = Keratinised stratified squamous with sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands

Labia minora = Stratified squamous epithelium with sebaceous glands and melanin pigmentation

Question 38

Define the location of the glands found at the skin folds of the vagina?

Answer 38

Minor vestibular gland (Skene’s glands) at anterior wall of vagina around lower end of urethra

Greater vestibular gland lateral to vaginal orifice

Question 39

List causes of menorrhagia?

Answer 39

• Hormonal imbalance (menopausal)
• Endometrial polyps
• Uterine cancer
• endometrial adenocarcinoma