Femal Reproduction Flashcards
(24 cards)
Germinal Epithelium Ovary
Continuous with peritoneal lining and accounts for 90% of ovarian cancers.
Tunica Albuginea Ovary
Subjacent fibrous CT capsule.
Ovarian Cortex
Follicles the functional units of the ovary which consist of an oocyte and surrounding supporting cells.
Ovarian Medulla
Loose CT and the vessels entering and exiting the organ.
Oogonia
Early embryonic life a small population of germ cells migrates from the yolk sac to the primitive gonad where they proliferate as oogonia (there are approximately 7 million by the 5th month of gestation).
Primary Oocytes
Following mitotic phase of oogonia, the cells enter meiosis I and are now called primary oocytes. These cells arrest in prophase of meiosis I (after synapse and recombination). Out of the 7 million, only one a month is ovulated. The rest undergo atresia.
Atresia
A degenerative process that the remainder of oocytes undergo who are not ovulated.
Primordial Follicle
Primary oocytes surrounded by a layer of flattened supportive cells. FSH stimulates a cohort of primordial follicles each month to begin an 85 day maturation.
Stage I maturation
Stimulated primordial follicles mature into primary follicles. Increased size of oocyte, secretion of zona pellucida around the oocyte, and proliferation of the supportive follicular or granulosa cells.
Granulosa Cells ie second stage
Produce fluid that collects to form a space called the antrum, resulting in a secondary follicle (antrum follicle). Also produce estrogen. The rising levels produce LH and FSH.
Ovaries
The site of generation of the female gamete. Four layers germinal epithelium, tunica albuginea, ovarian cotex, ovarian medulla. Early embryotic life, a small population of germ cells migrates from the yolk sac to the primitive gonad where they proliferate as oogonia.
LH surge ie third stage
Triggers the completion of meiosis I and process of ovulation. One of the cohort will undergo ovulation, the rest atretic.
Corpus Lutein
Outside of the basement membrane produced by the granulosa cells. It condenses to form the theca interna and externa. Following ovulation, the remnant granulosa cells and the theca are converted to lipid rich cells with SER. Grossly yellow. This modified follicle is the corpus luteum (yellow body) whose component granulosa lutein and theca lutein produce the progesterone that prepares the uterus for the arrival of a fertilized ovum. In the absence of pregancy, the corpus luteum will degenerate into the corpus albicans and the ovarian cycle begins agian.
Fallopian tubes
Secondary OOcyte is swept into fimbriated end of the oviduct and then into its ampulla. The mucosa (esp. distal end) is folded and covered by cilia with simple columnar. Secretory peg cells provide nutritive secretion. Peristalsis and cilia.
Peg cells
Nutrients into the fallopian tube.
Uterus– first stage
Smooth muscle wall. Endometrium is under hormonal control. Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of the endometrial cycle which epithelial and stomal cells are mitotically active. Thick stratum functionalis layer from the underlying stratum basalis.
Endometrial glands– second stage
Progesterone exposure leads to secretory phase. These glands begin robust production of glycogen-rich secretion in anticipation of nourishing an implanted embryo.
Absence of pregnancy
Drops in progesterone/estrogen. Contraction of the spiral arteries and necrosis of the stratum functionalis and sloughing.
Cervix
Dense fibromuscular stroma that lends support to pelvic viscera, and a secretory mucosal layer responsible for production of cervical mucous, the consistency of which changes during the menstral cycle. Simple columnar epithelium of the endocervix to stratified squamous ectocervix. Metaplasia in the transition.
Fertilization
Distal segment of oviduct. Spermatozoon penetrates the protective layer of granulosa cells and the enzymatically digests its way through the zona pellucida. The egg and sperm membranes fuse which triggers a Ca+ influx in the oocyte resulting in a cortical reaction and a block to polyspermy. Now the egg finally completes secondary meiosis.
Implantation
Blastocyst endometrium by day 7. Syncytiotrophoblast (hCG) layer invades the endometrium derived from the crytophoblast cells. Placenta also becomes important. Development of chorionic vili establish placental circulation. Early villi are more cellular while full-term placental villi minimize the barrier between the maternal and fetal blood. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the myometrial smooth muscle cells resulting in a 20X growth in size of the uterus during pregnancy.
hCG
Continued stimulation of the corpus luteum and thus continued maintenance of the endometrium (now called the decidua). Placenta also becomes important hormones.
Vagina
Stratified squamous. Components change during the monthly cycle namely the quantity of glycogen produced by the cells. glands are lacking in vaginal mucosa. Wall fibroelastic connective tissue. smooth muscle. some levels skeletal muscle for a urogenital diaphragm.
Vulva
Labia major/minor. Hair follicles. Adipose tissue in major not minor. Clitoris is vascular erectile tissue. The vestibule, delimited by the labia, includes clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal introitis. Mucous (Bartholin, Skene) glands also open into the vestibule and provide lube.
