T3 L1: Pathology of the female reproductive tract Flashcards
What is the Skene’s gland?
They are found on either side of the urethra and are believed to help with urination and lubrication during sex
What is the Bartholin’s gland?
They found on either side of the vaginal opening and they secrete fluid that lubricates it
How is acidity within the vagina maintained?
Oestrogen released by the ovaries causes maturation of squamous epithelial cells in which glycogen is formed. Glycogen shed from these cells acts as a substrate for vaginal anaerobic organisms (mostly lactobacilli) to produce lactic acid from it by fermentation
Which 3 parts is the cervix separated into?
The ectocervix, endocervix, and transformation zone
Which type of cell is the ectocervix formed of?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Which type of cell forms the endocervix?
A single layer of tall, mucin producing columnar cells
What causes the endocervix to have a very large surface area?
There are lots of blind-ending channels called clefts that radiate out from the endocervical canal into the surrounding stroma
What is the transition zone?
The squamo-columnar junction that joins the cells of the ectocervix and endocervix together
How does the transition zone form?
During puberty, the cervix changes shape and the lips of it grow so that the distal end of the endocervix opens.
The endocervical mucosa becomes exposed to the vaginal environment and undergoes metaplasia because it’s not suited for the acidic environment of the vagina
What is metaplasia?
A transformation of a cell type into another because there is a change in rate differentiation between the.
It’s caused by a change in environment
Describe the structure of the myometrium
Bundles of smooth muscle (Fascicles) filled with vasculature and nerves
What are the 3 components of the endometrium in the proliferative phase (before ovulation)?
- Tubular cells
- Specialised stroma
- Blood vessels
(Mitosis in glands)
What are the 3 components of the endometrium in the secretory phase?
- Cork screw glands
- Specialised stroma
- Blood vessels
(Secretions in glands)
What is the definition of neoplasia?
A new, abnormal, uncoordinated growth
Persists with withdrawal of stimuli and is associated with genetic alterations
What is the behaviour of benign neoplasms?
- Remains localised
- Doesn’t invade surrounding tissue
- Generally grow slowly
- Good resemblance to the parent tissue
