WEEK 5: HISTOLOGY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Question 1

State the 2 portions that form the histology of the ovary

Answer 1

Cortex: outer part
Medulla : inner part

Question 2

Differentiate between the cortex and medulla of on ovary

Answer 2

Cortex: highly cellular connective tissue, includes all ovarian follicles

Medulla:loose fibroelastic connective tissue
*Large blood vessels
*Lymphatic vessels
*Nerve fibers

Question 3

In which portion of the ovary are the ovules and steroid hormones produced ?

Answer 3

Cortex

Question 4

State all the types of follicles found in the cortex of the ovary

Answer 4

Primordial follicle:
Primary follicles
Secondary follicles
Tertiary/ Graafian follicles
Atretic follicles:

Question 5

Describe the relationship between size of follicle and layers of the granulosa cells

Answer 5

Increase in size of follicles results in increase in layer of granulosa cells

Question 6

Describe the primordial follicles

Answer 6

• have a thin layer of of flattened squamous granulosa cells
  *Thin zona Pellucidar
  *Oocyte

Question 7

Describe the secondary follicles

Answer 7

*Zona Pellucidar is more prominent and has multiple filaments that can be seen
* Has more layers of more layers of granulosa cells
* Stromal cells form a follicular theca

Question 8

State the functions of the theca interna and theca externa

Answer 8

Theca interna:It’s cells produce the steroid hormones
Theca externa: has no endocrine function, contain blood supply

Question 9

Describe the tertiary follicles

Answer 9

They have a structure called antrum, which is formed by the granulosa cells differentiation

Question 10

What are atretic follicles?

Answer 10

The once which are degenerated

Question 11

What is the other name for tertiary follicles?

Answer 11

Graafian follicles

Question 12

What is atresia?

Answer 12

Degeneration of an ovarian follicle which was not ovulated

Question 13

What forms the corpus luteum

Answer 13

The ruptured follicle after ovulation

Question 14

What forms the corpus albicans?

Answer 14

A corpus luteum degeneration if no fertilization

Question 15

State the 2 cell types of the corpus luteum

Answer 15

Granulosa lutein cells
Theca lutein cells

Question 16

State the function of granulosa lutein cells

Answer 16

*They produce lipochrome which gives the corpus luteum it’s yellowish color
* secretes progesterone to maintain the uterus in receptive phase, and even produce it throughout pregnancy if implantation occurs

Question 17

Name the hormone that influence the conversion of ruptured follicle into corpus luteum

Answer 17

Luteinizing hormone

Question 18

Describe the epithelium of the ovary

Answer 18

*simple cuboidal to columnar mesothelium and has a layer of tunica albuginea beneath it

Question 19

What is the function of the zona Pellucida?

Answer 19

*The zona pellucida supports communication between oocytes and follicle cells during oogenesis by allowing amino acids, glucose and other important molecules to be delivered from the granulosa cells to the developing oocyte
*protects oocytes, eggs, and embryos during development,
* regulates interactions between ovulated eggs and free-swimming sperm during and following fertilization.

Question 20

Name the 2 cell types found in the fallopian tube mucosa and their functions

Answer 20

Ciliated cells: move the ovum
Secretory cells: lubrication

Question 21

Why is the mucosa of the fallopian tube folded out into the lumen?

Answer 21

So that an ovum will always be close to the cilia for transportation

Question 22

Describe the Endometrium of the uterus

Answer 22

Has simple columnar epithelium

Question 23

Which structure has stratus functionalis and stratus basalis?
Differentiate between these two layers

Answer 23

Endometrium of the uterus
*Stratus functionalis: temporary layer, sloughed away during menstruation and grows back during each cycle

*Stratus basal:has permanent stromal tissue , found in deep uterine glands

Question 24

Describe the myometrium of the uterus

Answer 24

Consists of smooth muscles

Question 25

Describe the epithelium of the ectocervix and endocervix

Answer 25

Ectocervix: non keratinized stetified squamous epithelium
Endocervix: simple columnar epithelium with mucus secreting cells

Question 26

Describe the epithelium of the vagina

Answer 26

Non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 27

What form the theca interna and externa?

Answer 27

stromal cells

Question 28

What is a follicular antrum?

Answer 28

A fluid filled cavity

Question 29

What is zona pellucida?

Answer 29

The zona pellucida is an extracellular matrix composed of three glycoproteins: ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3.

Question 30

What is the function of corpus luteum?

Question 31

What are follicular cells?

Answer 31

A collective name for theca cells and granulosa cells

Question 32

What is the principal ovarian estrogen?

Answer 32

estradiol

Question 33

What forms the antrum?

Answer 33

it starts as multiple small spaces ( LACUNAE) that eventually coalesce into a single large antrum.

Question 34

What is corona radiata?

Answer 34

An outer layer of granulosa cells that form around a developing oocyte in the ovary and remains with it upon ovulation

Question 35

Name the layers found on an ovulated oocyte

Answer 35

Zona pellucida and corona radiata