Lecture 31: Female Reproductive Histology Flashcards
Ovary
epithelium/covering
-ovarian surface epithelium (simple cuboidal), covered by the tunica albuginea
What are the features of the ovarian cortex and medulla?
Cortex: has CT and ovarian follicles
Medulla: has CT, interstitial cells, NV and lymphatics (from the hilum)
What are the three types of cells found in the ovary?
Mullerian epithelium
Germ cells
Sex cord stromal cells
*grouped according to embryonic origin
Follicles
found in the cortical stroma surrounding a single oocyte (support cell)
Difference in features between primordial and primary follicles?
Primordial: found in cortex, surrounded by simple squamous layer of follicular/pregranulosa cells
Primary: developed a simple cuboidal layer of granulosa cells, zona pellucida forms between the oocyte and granulosa cells
Features of the late primary follicle
granulosa cells continue to proliferate and form stratified layer around the oocyte, still avascular at this point
What are the features of the secondary follicle?
-fluid accumulates in space between the granulosa layers forming the antrum
As the secondary follicle forms, what happens to ovarian stromal cells?
- epithelium proliferation into stratified cuboidal
- formation of theca interna (produces androstenedione > estradiol) and theca externa (fibrous cellular layer)
What are the features of a mature (Graffian follicle)?
- antrum gains more fluid occupying more space around the oocyte
- thecal layers are now thicker
- bulges form at the ovarian surface
What are the roles of these types of granulosa cells at the Graffian follicle stage?
Mural granulosa
Cumulus oophorous
Corona radiata
- line the follicular wall and secree estrogen
- anchors the primary oocyte to the follicle
- anchors the granulosa cells to the zona pellucida
What is the hallmark feature of a follicle undergoing atresia?
-thick folded glassy membrane forms around the oocyte
What is a stigma?
“hole” formed by the rupture of the ovarian surface causing release of the mature follicle
After ovulation, what structurally happens to these? Mural granulosa cells Basal lamina Antrum Thecal cells
- mural granulosa cells become granulosa lutein cells (part of the corpus luteum)
- thecal cells become theca lutein cells
- basal lamina breaks down
- blood enters the empty antrum and forms the corpus hemorrhagicum
What are the roles of granulosa lutein cells and theca lutein cells?
GLC: produce progesterone and estrogen (responds to FSH and later LH)
TLC: produce androstenedione and progesterone (responds to LH)
What is luteolysis?
CL regression if fertilization does not happen > formation of the corpus albicans (scar CT made of type 1 collagen)
What are the layers of the oviduct wall?
Mucosa: simple columnar epithelium, has ciliated cells and secretory cells sensitive to estrogen
Smooth muscle layer: inner circular spiral and outer longitudinal layer
Serosa: has large blood vessels
*peristalsis and cilia propel the oocyte to uterus
What are the features of the layers of the uterus?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
- simple columnar epithelium with simple tubular endometrial glands
- has circular smooth muscle layer with blood vessels (stratum vasculare)
- covered in serosa posteriorly and part of anterior, the rest is covered in adventitia
What is the difference between the functional layer and basal layers of the endometrium?
functional: lost during menstruation
basal layer: retained
What comprises the vasculature of the endometrium?
How does this relate to the endometrial cycle?
- Straight segment of the arcuate arteries supply the basal layer
- Coiled segment of the arcuate arteries supply the functional layer
coiled segment will contract before menstruation > reduce blood flow to functional layer > degradation
Histological features of the endometrium during these phases
Proliferative
Secretory
Ischemic/Menstrual
- ) thin functional layer, glands are straight, narrow and empty
- ) tubular and coiled glands form, zig zag/saw tooth shaped, lacunae filled with blood
- ) glands collapse, sponge looking stroma layer, layer starts to collapse
What is the decidual reaction?
-if pregnancy occurs, uterus forms the decidua on the endometrium
What are the parts of the cervix and what are their defining features?
Ectocervix - nonkeratinized stratified squamous
Endocervix - simple columnar (has crypts that increase surface area)
Transformation zone - where endo transitions into ecto
What are the layers of the vagina and what are their features?
Mucosa: nonkeratinized stratified squamous
Muscularis: circular and smooth longitudinal muscle layers
Adventitial: dense CT
