Lecture 31: Female Reproductive Histology

Question 1

Ovary

epithelium/covering

Answer 1

-ovarian surface epithelium (simple cuboidal), covered by the tunica albuginea

Question 2

What are the features of the ovarian cortex and medulla?

Answer 2

Cortex: has CT and ovarian follicles
Medulla: has CT, interstitial cells, NV and lymphatics (from the hilum)

Question 3

What are the three types of cells found in the ovary?

Answer 3

Mullerian epithelium
Germ cells
Sex cord stromal cells

*grouped according to embryonic origin

Question 4

Follicles

Answer 4

found in the cortical stroma surrounding a single oocyte (support cell)

Question 5

Difference in features between primordial and primary follicles?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Features of the late primary follicle

Answer 6

granulosa cells continue to proliferate and form stratified layer around the oocyte, still avascular at this point

Question 7

What are the features of the secondary follicle?

Answer 7

-fluid accumulates in space between the granulosa layers forming the antrum

Question 8

As the secondary follicle forms, what happens to ovarian stromal cells?

Answer 8

• epithelium proliferation into stratified cuboidal

- formation of theca interna (produces androstenedione > estradiol) and theca externa (fibrous cellular layer)

Question 9

What are the features of a mature (Graffian follicle)?

Answer 9

• antrum gains more fluid occupying more space around the oocyte
• thecal layers are now thicker
• bulges form at the ovarian surface

Question 10

What are the roles of these types of granulosa cells at the Graffian follicle stage?

Mural granulosa
Cumulus oophorous
Corona radiata

Answer 10

• line the follicular wall and secree estrogen
• anchors the primary oocyte to the follicle
• anchors the granulosa cells to the zona pellucida

Question 11

What is the hallmark feature of a follicle undergoing atresia?

Answer 11

-thick folded glassy membrane forms around the oocyte

Question 12

What is a stigma?

Answer 12

“hole” formed by the rupture of the ovarian surface causing release of the mature follicle

Question 13

After ovulation, what structurally happens to these? 
Mural granulosa cells
Basal lamina
Antrum
Thecal cells

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What are the roles of granulosa lutein cells and theca lutein cells?

Answer 14

GLC: produce progesterone and estrogen (responds to FSH and later LH)

TLC: produce androstenedione and progesterone (responds to LH)

Question 15

What is luteolysis?

Answer 15

CL regression if fertilization does not happen > formation of the corpus albicans (scar CT made of type 1 collagen)

Question 16

What are the layers of the oviduct wall?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are the features of the layers of the uterus?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

What is the difference between the functional layer and basal layers of the endometrium?

Answer 18

functional: lost during menstruation

basal layer: retained

Question 19

What comprises the vasculature of the endometrium?

How does this relate to the endometrial cycle?

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

Histological features of the endometrium during these phases

Proliferative
Secretory
Ischemic/Menstrual

Answer 20

1. ) thin functional layer, glands are straight, narrow and empty
2. ) tubular and coiled glands form, zig zag/saw tooth shaped, lacunae filled with blood
3. ) glands collapse, sponge looking stroma layer, layer starts to collapse

Question 21

What is the decidual reaction?

Answer 21

-if pregnancy occurs, uterus forms the decidua on the endometrium

Question 22

What are the parts of the cervix and what are their defining features?

Answer 22

Ectocervix - nonkeratinized stratified squamous
Endocervix - simple columnar (has crypts that increase surface area)
Transformation zone - where endo transitions into ecto

Question 23

What are the layers of the vagina and what are their features?

Answer 23

Mucosa: nonkeratinized stratified squamous
Muscularis: circular and smooth longitudinal muscle layers
Adventitial: dense CT