Module 10: Reproductive System

Question 1

Ovaries

Answer 1

produce ova through process of oogenesis and are endocrine in function
Surface is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium
Beneath epi and basement membrane, is tunica albuginea (ease eosinophilic layer)
Has cortex and medulla

Question 2

Ovarian cortex

Answer 2

2 components: Stroma/stromal cells, numerous ovarian follicles in various stages of maturation

Stromal cells give structural support to developing ova; also form thecal layers of developing follicle and secrete estrogen and progesterone
Each month, one follicle matures (Graafian follicle) and releases an egg

Question 3

Ovulation is stimulated by

Answer 3

surge of LH from pituitary

Question 4

Ovarian Medulla

Answer 4

highly vascular

Provides capillary bed which radiates cortex

Question 5

Uterus 3 parts

Answer 5

Fundus, body and cervix

Fundus and body have same histological structures

Question 6

2 layers of fundus and body of uterus

Answer 6

Myometrium: 3 layers of muscle
Smooth muscle hypertrophies in pregnancy

Endometrium: lining of uterus; shed every month; simple columnar epi which dips down into simple tubular endometrial glands
Lamina propria is termed “endometrial stroma”

Question 7

Cervix

Answer 7

lower part of uterus
Connected to vagina by endocervical canal
Stroma is composed of mostly fibrocollagenous tissue and some smooth muscle

Question 8

Endocervical canal is lined by

Answer 8

simple columnar epithelium which secrete mucin
Indentations/furrows in epi extend into lamina propria (NOT TUBULAR GLANDS)

@ junction, columnar cells change to stratified squamous non-keratinized epi that cover the cervix

Question 9

Fallopian tube

Answer 9

aka uterine tubes, oviducts
4 segments of tube:
-intramural segment which passes through myometrial wall
-isthmus (narrow thick walled segment)
-longer thin walled ampulla
-flared infundibulum with fimbria

Question 10

Fallopian tube is lined with

Answer 10

tall columnar ciliated cells and secretory cells

• to help movement of ovum
• produce water tubal fluid which provides nutrition and protection to ovum

Question 11

Breast tissue

Answer 11

each breast contains 15-25 breast lobes consisting of A compound tubulo-acinar gland with ducts
Ducts are lined by simple columnar or cuboidal epi

Question 12

Lactiferous duct of breast

Answer 12

single large duct that drains each lobe via separate opening on surface of nipple

Question 13

Testes

Answer 13

produce spermatozoa
Synthesize and secrete androgens
Covered by thick fibrocollagenous capsule called tunica albuginea (divides testes into 200-300 lobes each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules)

Question 14

duct system of sperm

Answer 14

efferent ducts
epididymis
vas deferens
ejaculatory duct

Question 15

Seminiferous tubule

Answer 15

site of production of sperm
lined by germinal epithelium with Sertoli cells (support cells)
Leydig cells lie between tubules and secrete testosterone

Question 16

Sertoli cells

Answer 16

tall columnar cells which lie on basement membrane of seminiferous tubule
Extent to luminal surface
“nurse cells”
provide structural and metabolic support for developing sperm cells

Question 17

Leydig cells and myoid cells

Answer 17

lie between interstitial loose fibrocollagenous tissue with fibroblasts, collage, blood and lymphatic vessels

Leydig cells Synthesize testosterone
Myoid cells are contractile cells

Question 18

Vas Deferens

Answer 18

aka ductus deferens
Located in spermatic cord
Passes to the base of the bladder where it is joined by short duct from seminal vesicles
Then forms ejaculatory ducts which pass through prostate and open into prostatic urethra

Lined by pseudo stratified columnar epi with stereo cilia
Muscular wall have 3 distinct layers (long, circular, long)

Question 19

Prostate

Answer 19

produce fluid in which sperm are transported
Consists of branched tubulo-acinar glands
Secretory epi is either pseudo stratified or tall columnar
Organ is capsulated and has septa

Question 20

Prostatic urethra is lined by

Answer 20

transitional epi