T3, L1 & L2 Pathology of the Female Reproductive Tract 1 & 2 Flashcards
What cell type is present in the vulva and the vagina?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What happens to the vagina at puberty?
Oestrogen secreted by the ovary stimulates maturation of squamous epithelial cells
Glycogen is formed within mature squamous epithelial cells
Glycogen inside cells shed from the surface, is a substrate for vaginal anaerobic organisms (dominated by lactobacilli)
Lactobacilli produce lactic acid keeping vaginal pH below 4.5
What are the layers of the cervix?
Ectocervix
Endocervix
Transformation zone
Describe the ectocervix
Covered by stratified squamous epithelium
Glycogen is produced in these mature cells
Describe the endocervix
It is lined by a single layer of tall, mucin producing columnar cells
Columnar epithelium lines tiny blind ending channels (‘clefts’)
These radiate out from the endocervical canal into the surrounding stroma (giving a bigger SA)
What is the junction between the ecto- and endocervix called?
The squamo-columnar junction
When and how is the transformation zone formed?
During puberty the cervix changes shape
The lips of the cervix grow
The distal end (closest to the vagina) of the endocervix opens, and becomes a funnel shape.
Endocervical mucosa becomes exposed to the acidity of vaginal environment
The distal endocervical columnar epithelium is exposed to the acidic vaginal environment
It is not suited to this, so undergoes an adaptive change called metaplasia
Reserve cells in this area proliferate and mature to form squamous epithelium: this process is called SQUAMOUS METAPLASIA.
Define metaplasia
A transformation of cell type from one kind of mature differentiated cell type to another kind of mature differentiated cell type.
What cell type are the reserve cell? What is their role?
Stem type cells
They form squamous cells of ectocervical cells.
What initially happens to the metaplastic squamous epithelium?
At first, the metaplastic squamous epithelium is thin and delicate (lots of proliferation & maturation is incomplete)
With time, what eventually happens to the metaplastic squamous epithelium?
With time, the metaplastic epithelium comes to be as strong and well formed as that on the ectocervix
Describe the microscopic features of the myometrium
Bundles of smooth muscle, vasculature and nerves
The muscle fibres have cigar shaped nuclei
Describe the microscopic features of the endometrium (in the proliferative (before ovulation) stage)
- Tubular glands
- Specialised stroma
- Blood vessels
Mitoses in glands
Describe the microscopic features of the endometrium (in the secretory (during ovulation) stage)
- Cork screw glands
- Specialised stroma
- Blood vessels
Secretions in glands
Define neoplasia
neoplasia:
‘new growth’ – abnormal, uncoordinated and excessive cell growth.
persists following withdrawal of stimulus and associated with genetic alterations
How are neoplasms classified?
Behaviour (benign or malignant)
Histogenesis (recognising the cell of origin)
What are the behaviours of benign neoplasms?
Remains localised and doesn’t invade surrounding tissues
Generally grow slowly
Good resemblance of parent tissue
I am a benign neoplasm of smooth muscle. I am localised and slow growing. What am I?
Leiomyoma of the myometrium
a.k.a “fibroid”
It closely resembles parent tissue
What are the consequences of benign neoplasms?
Pressure on adjacent tissue
Obstruction of lumen of a hollow organ
Hormone production
Transformation into a malignant neoplasm
Symptoms for the patient
Give examples of different clinical problems that benign neoplasms cause?
Pressure on adjacent tissue
-Bladder (frequency) Rectosigmoid (constipation)
Obstruction to lumen of a hollow organ
-Adjacent (ureters) Blocking endocervix
Hormone production
-Erythropoietin producing polycythaemia
Transformation into a malignant neoplasm
-Probably malignancy arises de novo
Can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding, pain
What are the behaviours of malignant neoplasms?
Invade into surrounding tissues
Spread via lymphatics to lymph nodes and blood vessels to other sites (metastasis)
Generally grow relatively quickly
Variable resemblance to parent tissue
How does malignant neoplastic tissue compare to normal tissue?
Looks different
loss of differentiation
loss of cellular cohesion
enlarged irregular dark nuclei (due to abnormally high chromosomal content)
increased numbers of mitoses