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GERR > Lecture 36: Reproductive System Microanatomy > Flashcards

Lecture 36: Reproductive System Microanatomy Flashcards

1
Q

what structures make up the female reproductive system

A
  • ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
  • uterus
  • cervix
  • vagina
  • (placenta during pregnancy)
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2
Q

describe the histological structure of the ovary

A
  • single outer layer of germinal epi
  • DIRCT capsule tunica albuginea
  • cortex –> oocyte and follicular development
  • medulla –> loose CT w/ bv from hilum
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3
Q

what 4 hormones drive the histological changes of the female reproductive organs

A
  • follicle stimulating
  • leutinising
  • oestrogen
  • progesterone
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4
Q

where in the ovary are most of the ovarian follicles found

A

in the cortex

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5
Q

what cells in the CT stroma of the ovary will respond to the hormones e.g. oestrogen

A

fibroblasts

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6
Q

what are the 4 types of follicles that can be distinguished in ovary

A
  • primordial
  • primary
  • secondary
  • vesicular
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7
Q

what does an empty follicle become once the oocyte has been ovulated

A

corpus luteum

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8
Q

what is the major endocrine organ during the first few months of pregnancy and why

A
  • corpus luteum

- b/c no placenta

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9
Q

what happens to corpus lute if there is no pregnancy

A

undergoes atrophy and becomes fibrotic to form corpus albicans

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10
Q

what happens to most follicles between utero and puberty

A
  • lost through atresia

- ~4mil –> ~200K

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11
Q

describe primordial follicles

A

oocyte covered by single layer of flattened granulosa (follicle) cells which provide nutritional network and endocrine signalling

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12
Q

describe primary follicle

A
  • growth stimulated by follicle stimulating hormone
  • granulosa cells now cuboidal (will secrete progesterone and help convert precursor oestrogen into full oestrogen)
  • layer of glycoproteins called Zona Pellucida separates oocyte from granulosa cells
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13
Q

describe secondary follicle

A
  • ^ in cell layers
  • zona granulosa
  • theca cells which surround stroma and produce androgens (go on to form corpus luteum post ovulation)
  • basement membrane separates theca cells from zona granulosa
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14
Q

what develops in a late secondary follicle

A

an antrum –> fluid filled cavity

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15
Q

describe a Graafian follicle

A
  • presence of antrum
  • pressure of antrum pushes some granulosa cells to periphery and others surrounding oocyte known now as cumulus cells (cumulus radiata)
  • oocyte surrounded by cumulus cells = cumulus oocyte complex
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16
Q

what are theca cells derived from

A

fibroblasts

17
Q

what is the effect of ^ oestrogen production by Graafian follicle

A
  • causes LH surge

- which stimulates ovulation and development of corpus luteum

18
Q

what happens as a result of LH surge

A
  • collagenase activity ^
  • continued ^ in follicular fluids and pressure
  • thinning of ovarian cortex surrounding follicle
  • stigma (bulge adjacent to follicle forms)
  • follicle ruptures releasing COC to be taken up by fallopian tube
19
Q

describe the structure and histology of fallopian tube

A
  • 10cm long
  • lined by simple columnar epi (secretory and ciliated)
  • smooth muscle layer

fimbriae:
- finger like extensions
- create current over ovary to waft oocyte into fallopian tube

infundibulum:
- highly folded mucosa
- thin Muscularis

ampulla:
- highly folded mucosa
- thick Muscularis
- fertilisation takes place here

isthmus:
- mucosa has fewer folds
- thickest Muscularis

20
Q

describe the three layers of the uterus

A

endometrium:

  • simple columnar epi
  • functional zone (glands)
  • basilar zone (closest to myometrium not sloughed during menses)

myometrium:
- smooth muscle and vasculature

perimetrium:
- CT

21
Q

outline what structures the male reproductive system consists of

A
  • testes
  • epididymis
  • ductal system
  • accessory glands
  • penis
22
Q

describe the histological structure of the testes

A
  • enclosed in thick CT –> Tunica Albuginea
  • septa from Tunica Albuginea divides organ into appx 250 pyramidal lobules
  • each lobule contains 1-4 seminiferous tubules
  • tubules connect via rete testis prior to efferent ducts that lead to epididymis
23
Q

describe the seminiferous tubules histologically

A
  • site of spermatogenesis
  • lined by Sertoli cells (simple columnar) which support and nourish developing germ cells
    tight junctions between Sertoli cells
  • germ cells sit in invaginations of Sertoli cell cytoplasm
  • Leydig cells occur in CT around tubules, secrete testosterone
24
Q

what 4 populations of germ cells are in the seminiferous tubules

A
  • spermatogonia
  • spermatocytes (1st and 2nd)
  • spermatids
  • spermatozoa
25
Q

what is spermiogenesis

A

late spermatid –> spermatozoan

26
Q

describe the epididymis

A
  • site of maturation and storage of spermatozoa

- highly convoluted duct w/ pseudo stratified columnar epi and stereocilia (microvilli)

27
Q

describe the Vas Deferens

A
  • encapsulated w/ DIRCT
  • columnar epi
  • thick wall w/ 3 smooth muscle layers
  • -> inner and outer longitudinal
  • -> middle circular
  • contraction of muscle moves spermatozoa from epididymis to urethra during ejaculation
28
Q

give the 3 accessory glands and their function

A

seminal vesicles:
- prod viscous secretion containing sperm activating substances (60% of ejaculate)

prostate:
- produces thin milky fluid containing several enzymes (30% of ejaculate)
- alkaline pH to counter vaginal acidity

bulbourethral (Cowper’s)
- produce clear fluid prior to ejaculation to lubricate distal urethra and neutralise it

29
Q

describe the penis histologically

A
  • erectile tissues composed of DIRCT and smooth muscle
  • comprised of 3 vascular cylinders
  • -> 2x corpus cavernosa
  • -> 1x corpus spongiosum
  • corpus cavernosa sit dorsally separated by median septum, surrounded by Tunica Albuginea
  • corpus spongiosum ventral and contains urethra

GERR (46 decks)

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