SM_212b: Histology of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Ovary is an ___ and ___ organ
Ovary is an endocrine and exocrine organ
Describe layers of ovary
Ovary: from superficial to deep
- Germinal epithelium (simple cuboidal)
- Tunica albuginea (dense connective tissue)
- Cortex with follicles
- Medulla (loose connective tissue with vessels, rete ovarii, etc)
____ is dense connective tissue capsule of the ovary
Tunica albuginea is dense connective tissue capsule of the ovary
____ of ovary is continuous with peritoneum and has the same ultrastructural features of a serous membrane (microvilli, mitochondria, rough ER, etc)
Germinal epithelium (simple cuboidal) ovary is continuous with peritoneum and has the same ultrastructural features of a serous membrane (microvilli, mitochondria, rough ER, etc)
Follicles are epithelial ____ and ____
Follicles are epithelial granulosa cells (from secondary sex cords) and thecal cells from stroma that surround oocytes
- FSH promotes their growth
Describe follicle development
Follicle development
- Primordial follicle (simple squamous)
- Primary follicles (stratified layer)
- Secondary (antral) follicle has cavity
- Mature (Graafian) follicle is a huge secondary follicle
Outer theca has two layers: ___ and ___
Outer theca has two layers: theca externa and theca internal
Granulosa cells with the theca interna produce ____ to ____
Granulosa cells with the theca interna produce estrogen to trigger LH surge / ovulation
Describe theca interna and externa
Theca interna and externa
- Granulosa cells surrounded by basal lamina
- Theca interna with capillaries
- Theca externa with collagen / fibroblasts
Describe Rhodin follicles
Rhodin follicles
Cumuls oophorus of mature (Graafian) follicle is a ____
Cumuls oophorus of mature (Graafian) follicle is a cluster of follicular cells surrounding the oocyte
Corona radiata of mature (Graafian) follicles is ____
Corona radiata of mature (Graafian) follicles is cumulus cells in contact with zona pellucida
Describe oocyte maturation
Oocyte maturation
- First meiotic division of primary oocyte begins in fetal primordial follicles (arrested in prophase)
- Completed in mature follicles just before ovulation (decades later) forming secondary oocyte - 2nd meiotic division begins
- Second meiotic division is completed at fertilization
Ovulation is ____
Ovulation is release of secondary oocyte, corona radiata, and other follicular cells and fluid
Describe hormones involved in ovulation
Ovulation
- Anterior pituitary secretes FSH
- Acts on follicles
- Estrogen secretion
- LH surge
- Ovulation
Corpus luteum is ___
Corpus luteum is made from the follicle after ovulation
Corpius luteum develops in response to ____
Corpius luteum develops in response to LH from the anterior pituitary
Granulosa and theca interna cells from the follicle become ____ and ____ that produce ____ to prepare uterus for pregnancy
Granulosa and theca interna cells from the follicle become granulosa lutein and theca lutein cells that produce progesterone (and estrogens) to prepare uterus for pregnancy
Follicular wall folds to form ____
Follicular wall folds to form corpus luteum
- Granulosa lutein cells
- Theca lutein cells
Corpus luteum is maintained by ____ from the ____
Corpus luteum is maintained by LH from the anterior pituitary
____ is the product of the corpus luteum and functions to ____
Progesterone is the product of the corpus luteum and functions to inhibit LH
- If no pregnancy: corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans (scar tissue)
If fertilization occurs, ____ maintains the corpus luteum of pregnancy
If fertilization occurs, hCG maintains the corpus luteum of pregnancy
____ is a degenerating corpus luteum that will eventually disappear
Corpus albicans is a degenerating corpus luteum that will eventually disappear
Most follicles never make it to the mature stage and degenerate as ____
Most follicles never make it to the mature stage and degenerate as atretic follicles
- Usually smaller, wavier, less folded, and more numerous than a corpus albicans
Describe the uterine tubes
Uterine tubes
- Infudibulum (funnel)
- Ampulla (dilation, jug)
- Isthmus (connection)
- Intramural segment in wall of uterus
In Rhodin follicle, tube has ____, ____, and ____ and is composed of ____
In Rhodin follicle, tube has serosa (peritoneum), muscularis, and mucosa (with complex fold) and is composed of simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and non-ciliated (peg cells)
During the menstrual cycle, ____
During the menstrual cycle, more cells become ciliated in response to estrogen
In menopausal women after years of estrogen therapy, epithelium is mostly ____
In menopausal women after years of estrogen therapy, epithelium is mostly ciliated cells with a few islands of peg cells
Uterus consists of ___, ___, and ___
Uterus consists of
- Serosa: broad ligament peritoneum
- Muscular (myometrium)
- Mucosa (endometrium, decidua)
Uterine mucosa includes layers of ____ and ____
Uterine mucosa includes layers of stratum functionale and stratum basale
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Tubular glands
- Spiral arteries
Describe endometrium in the menstrual phase
Endometrium in the menstrual phase
- Stratum functionale gone
- No epithelium (or newly repared)
- Basal glands prominent
Describe endometrium in the proliferative phase
Endometrium in the proliferative phase
- Stratum functionale rebuilds
- A few straight glands visible
Describe endometrium in the secretory phase
Endometrium in the secretory phase
- Stratum functionale filled with wavy glands
- They are dilated with glycogen rich fluid
- Response to progesterone from corpus luteum
Describe histology of endometrium
Endometrium histology
Cervix has ___ as body of uterus
Cervix has same layers as body of uterus
- Differences: muscularis is 50% connective tissue, mucosa changes little during menstrual cycle
Cervix has transition of epithelium from simple columnar to ____ of vagina
Cervix has transition of epithelium from simple columnar to stratified squamous of vagina
- Another difference from uterine body: glands tend to be branched, often with cysts
Describe histology of vagina
Vagina histology
- Stratified squamous epithelium (non-keratinized)
- No glands: spaces are vascular channels
- Lubrication is from cervix and greater vestibular glands
In the vagina, epithelial cells ____
In the vagina, epithelial cells swell with glycogen response to estrogen
(fixed cells look empty)
Describe roles of glycogen in vagina
Glycogen in vagina
- Creates a more favorable environment for sperm as surface cells are shed into the vaginal lumen
- Lowers pH to 4 by lactic acid from action of anaerobic bacteria: prevents infection by bacteria, fungi, etc
Cancer cell nuclei enlarge, beginning in the ____
Cancer cell nuclei enlarge, beginning in the deeper layers
Cervical cancers usually originate ____ are are very ____ developing
Cervical cancers usually originate near the epithelial transition zone are are very slow developing
Summarize hormones of the menstrual cycle
Hormones of the menstrual cycle
- First two weeks: follicular or estrogen phase: follicles develop in preparation for ovulation via FSH
- Second two weeks: luteal or progesterone phase: corpus luteum develops to prepare for pregnancy
FSH is responsible for ___
FSH is responsible for follicle development
Estrogen causes ____, which triggers ____
Estrogen causes LH surge, which triggers ovulation
____ builds endometrium in the ____ phase
Progesterone builds endometrium in the secretory phase
If there is no hCG from conception, ____
If there is no hCG from conception, corpus luteum degenerates
Describe hormones involved in menstrual cycle
Hormones involved in menstrual cycle
- Pituitary secretes FSH
- Follicle secretes estrogen
- Pituitary secretes LH
- Corpus luteum secretes progesterone
- Maintains endometrium / pregnancy
____ maintains the corpus luteum as LH diminishes from progesterone
hCG maintains the corpus luteum as LH diminishes from progesterone
- Without hCG, corpus luteum degenerates and menstruation begins
