Lecture 3 - Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

Broad ligament

Answer 1

• suspends the repro tract in the abdomen and houses the vascular supply, lymphatic drainage, and nerves for the female tract
• each segment of the BL interacts with a different portion of the tract

Question 2

3 segments of the broad ligament

Answer 2

1. Mesovarium
2. Mesosalpinx
3. Mesometrium

Question 3

Mesovarium

Answer 3

• houses vascular supply, lymphatic drainage, and nerves for the OVARY
• forms the ovarian stem = hilus

Question 4

Mesosalpinx

Answer 4

• thin, transparent segment of the BL that supports the oviduct
• forms a pouch around the ovary = bursa

Question 5

Mesometrium

Answer 5

• largest portion of BL
• supports the UTERINE HORNS- suspended from the dorsal body wall

Question 6

Utero-ovarian ligament

Answer 6

attaches the ovary and the uterus but is not apart of the BL

Question 7

Area of the ovary where there is follicular development

Answer 7

cortex

Question 8

atretic follicle

Answer 8

developing follicle that is deteriorating

Question 9

mature pre-ovulatory follicle

Answer 9

antral/graafian follicle

Question 10

4 layers of the female tract

Answer 10

1. serosa (outer layer)
2. muscularis
3. submucosa
4. mucosa

Question 11

Serosa

Answer 11

• single layer of flattened cells that cover the female tract (like skin)
• exposed to other organs in the abdomen

Question 12

Muscularis

Answer 12

• double layer of smooth muscles; other longitudinal layer, inner circular layer
• allows tissues to contract (transport)

Question 13

Submucosa

Answer 13

• houses blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics
• supporting layer for mucosa

Question 14

Mucosa

Answer 14

• secretory layer of epithelium in lumen of the reproductive tract
• properties and role varies for each segment of the tract

Question 15

Theca cells

Answer 15

• respond to LH and produce testosterone

Question 16

Granulosa cells

Answer 16

• respond to FSH
• converts T to E2 (which goes into circulation and the follicular antrum)

Question 17

What parts of the antral follicle stay with the oocyte after ovulation

Answer 17

• corona radiata and cumulus ooporus

Question 18

5 parts of the oviduct

Answer 18

1. infundibulum
2. ampulla
3. ampullary-isthmic junction
4. isthmus
5. uterotubal junction

Question 19

Infundibulum

Answer 19

• funnel shaped opening closes over the ovary
• forms “pocket” around the ovary
• fimbriae sweep oocytes toward the oviduct

Question 20

Ampulla

Answer 20

• upper-half of the oviduct
• large diameter and ciliated mucosa to transport oocytes to the point of fertilization

Question 21

Ampullary-isthmic junction

Answer 21

site of fertilization

Question 22

Site of fertilization

Answer 22

Ampullary-isthmic jxn

Question 23

Isthmus

Answer 23

-lower-half of the oviduct attached to the uterus
- small diameter tube that transports sperm to AIJ and transports embryos to the uterus

Question 24

Uterotubal junction

Answer 24

• jxn of the uterus and oviduct
• sperm reservoir

Question 25

Functions of the uterus (controlled by stage of the female cycle)

Answer 25

1. sperm transport to the oviduct
2. maintain pre-implantation embryo
3. maternal portion of placenta - transfer of nutrients to fetus
4. expulsion of fetus and fetal placenta

Question 26

3 tissue layers of the uterus

Answer 26

1. Perimetrium = serosa
2. Myometrium = muscularis
3. Endometrium = mucosa + submucosa

Question 27

Perimetrium

Answer 27

external layer that connects to the mesometrium of the BL

Question 28

Myometrum

Answer 28

• muscle layers of the uterus
• facilitates uterine contractions: sperm transport; expulsion of fetus & placenta

Question 29

Endometrium

Answer 29

• cells lining the uterine lumen
• roles vary with female cycle: secretions that enhance sperm and embryo survival; signals if pregnancy has been achieved; maternal portion of placenta and transfer of nutrients to fetus

Question 30

Cervix

Answer 30

Thick walled segment of female system that separated the internal tract from the external tract

Question 31

Forms of cervical lumen

Answer 31

1. single fold: bitch and queen
2. multiple folds: sow, ewe, cow & mare

Question 32

Cervical functions

Answer 32

Copulation
- cow, ewe, bitch and queen = reservoir/barrier to sperm transport
- sow and mare = site of semen deposition

Pregnancy
- mucus plug conserves the sterile uterine environment

Question 33

Vagina

Answer 33

Copulatory organ of the female
- site of semen deposition (cow, ewe, bitch and queen)

Thickness and secretions of the mucosa influenced by the estrus cycle
- lubricate and protect the vaginal wall

Question 34

Epithelium of the cranial vaginal vs caudal vagina

Answer 34

• Cranial vagina: columnar epithelium
• Caudal vagina: stratified squamous epithelium