The female reproductive system Flashcards
What hormones does female reproductive system produce
Steroid hormones
What corpora does the clitoris have
Corpus cavernosum- can be engorged with blood upon arousal because it is an erectile vascular tissue
What are the ‘cups’ around the cervix called
Anterior, posterior and lateral fornices
What are the layers of the vaginal tube
Epithelial mucosa - non keratinised stratified squamous epithelia which id glycogen rich
Lamina propria
Sub mucosa. Highly vascularised, has elastic fibres which allow distension
Adventitia. elastic fibres and irregular smooth muscle
What do the elastic fibres in the vagina allow
Distension which is needed for childbirth
What is glycogen involved in in the vagina and therefore what is this like during ovulation
Maintenance of pH
Increased glycogen during ovulation
Does the vagina have any glands
No
What is the non keratinised stratified layer of squamous epithelial cells under the influence of
Oestrogen. Therefore before puberty and after menopause this layer is thin
What are the two parts of the cervix
Endocervix- which is the part by the uterus cavity
Exocervix - part by the vagina
What is the cell types of the endocervix
Single layer of tall columnar mucus secreting epithelial cells
Has basal layer of reserve cells
What is the store of the endocervix composed of
FIbromuscular tissue
Elastin and collagen fibres
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS)
Rich in lymph vessels and nerves
What is the basal layer of reserve cells important for in the endocervix
Cervical distension during childbirth.
Done by softening of the stroma which causes hydration of the matrix, alterations in collagen and elastin fibres
What do endocervical mucus glands secrete and where are they found
What are they
mucin
Found in Endocervix
They are deep invaginations which increases surface area but are not true glands
Function of mucin produced by endocervix
Lubrication during sex
Protection against bacterial ascent into uterus
Allows ascent of sperm into uterus at correct time
What is mucin like during the proliferative (follicular phase) of the menstrual cycle
thin, watery, abundant and more alkaline which supports sperm viability
What is the mucin like just prior to ovulation
less viscous, 10x more in volume and facilitates movement of sperm
What us mucin like during secretory phase (after ovulation)
More viscid, more acidic and deters penetration by any more sperm. seals uterus in prep to possible embryo implantation
What epithelium is In ectocevix
stratified squamous epithelial mucosa
What is the tranrsformatuin process called and what us ut
Squamous metaplasia and this is where columnar to squamous epithelial transformation
How do Nabothian cysts form
Newly formed stratified squamous epithelium can continue to grow over the simple columnar epithelium at the transformation zone
Some invaginations of the columnar epithelium become covered and lose their connection to the surface
Continuing mucin secretion of these blocked invaginations results in formation of Nabothian cysts
Where are cervical smears taken
transformation zones
Consequence of squamous metaplasia
Blocking if endocervical glands- mucus filled Nabothian cysts
Development of abnormal epithelium - lose regular stratified pattern, high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, increased mitotic activity (intraepithelial neoplasia)
Progression to cancer as these cells can breach the basement membrane and invade cervical stoma
What is cervical cancer
Malignant neoplasm arising from cervical cells
What happens to myometrium during pregnancy
Hormone sensitive hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy
