Female Reproductive Histolgy

Question 1

What are the 2 cycles of the menstrual cycle

Answer 1

1. Ovarian Cycle : several ovarian follicles undergo folliculogenesis
2. Uterine Cycle : concurrent cycle, endometrium prepares fro implantation

Question 2

Ovary histology

Answer 2

Lined by simple cuboidal—> granulesa + stromal cells
(OVARIAN SURFACE EPITHELIUM)
CT : tunica Albuginea

Question 3

What does the cortex of the ovary have

Answer 3

CT and ovarian follicles

Question 4

What does the ovarian Medulla have

Answer 4

CT, interstitial cells, neurovasculature, lymph from Hilum

Question 5

Ovarian Follicles, location, during what time of life

Answer 5

In the cortical stroma
Has a single oocyte inside
Follicular and granulosa cells surround oocyte during growth

Question 6

Oocytes at birth are

Answer 6

Arrested in meiosis 1 metaphase 1

Question 7

During folliculogenesis some follicles undergo cyclic growth what are the 3 stages

Answer 7

1. Follicular phase
2. Ovulation phase
3. Luteal Phase

Question 8

Primordial Follicles

Answer 8

Many in the cortex

Simple squamous layer (follicular/pregranulosa cells) around them

Question 9

Primary Follicles

Answer 9

They have simple cuboidal (granulosa cells) around them

Zona pellucida begin as to form in between granulosa and primary oocyte

Question 10

Late Primary Follicle

Answer 10

Surrounded by stratifies granulosa (cuboidal) cells
Cells communicate through gap junctions
Has BM + NO vasculature still

Question 11

Secondary Follicle

Answer 11

Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid = become Call-Exner bodies that enlarge and combine —> antrum
Granulosa cells reorganize to for antrum (large cavity inside)
Stromal cells for thecal layer around

Question 12

Theca layer is made from what and histology

2 types

Answer 12

From stromal cells, stratified cuboidal

1. Theca interna: vascularized cell layer next to BL, support granulosa cells
2. Theca externa: fibrous cellular layer continuous with stroma

Question 13

Theca interna secretes

Answer 13

Makes and secretes androstenedione ——> estradiol

Question 14

Mature (graffian) follicle

Answer 14

1. Antrum accumulates fluid (max size os 2cm)
2. Thickening of thecal layers
3. Bulges at the surface of ovary
4. Granulosa cells thin out

Question 15

How does the granulosa cells thin out into

Answer 15

1. Mural granulosa cells : line the follicular wall (outside part of antrum (secrete estrogen) = follicular fluid
2. Cumulus oophorous : attaches primary oocyte to the follicle wall (deliver nutrients)
3. Corona Radiata : granulosa cells right around ZP (inside part of antrum)

Question 16

What stage can you see different parts of granulosa cells

Answer 16

Mature Graffian Follicle

Question 17

What stage do you see different features of the thecal cels

Answer 17

Secondary follicle

Question 18

Follicular Atresia

Answer 18

All follicles that are developing in the ovary that don’t become the dominant follicle
* only dominant one ovulates
= Apoptosis (no inflammation)*looks like a glassy membrane

Question 19

What causes ovulation to happen to dominant follicle

Answer 19

The LH surge

After the primary oocyte (finish meiosis)——> secondary oocyte (meiosis 2, metaphase 2)

Question 20

What repairs the ovary after the oocyte ruptures out

Answer 20

The mural granulosa cells and the thecal interna cells

Question 21

What is the luteal phase

Answer 21

What happens to the follicle ones the mature oocyte has ruptures out from the follicle into oviduct
Corpus luteum—> regression—> corpus albicans

Question 22

Luteal phase Luteinization

What happens

Answer 22

The mural granulosa cells—> granulosa lutein cells
The Theca Interna cells—> theca lutein cells
= together they make the CORPUS LUTEUM *in case of fertilization

Question 23

Granulosa Lutein cells

Answer 23

Secrete steroids (progesterone, estrogen)
From FSH and LH stimulation

Question 24

Theca Lutein Cells

Answer 24

Secrete androstenedione and progesterone

From LH stimulation

Question 25

Luteal Phase Luteolysis | IF FERTILIZATION

Answer 25

CL makes more progesterone + estrogen From HCG stimulus *until placenta is made and takes over

Question 26

Luteal Phase Luteolysis | IF NO FERTILIZATION

Answer 26

CL involution stage (14 days after ovulation) | =Luteolysis happens——> corpus Albicans (type 1 collagen)*gets small and white scar, no apoptosis

Question 27

What hormone helps pick dominant follicle in ovary

Answer 27

FSH

Question 28

Uterine Tube Histology

Answer 28

Simple columnar ( mucosal) Cilia + secretory peg cells(increase in size with estrogen signal) SM : peristaltic contractions + cilia action Serosa with BVs

Question 29

Which area has the most folds in the mucosa

Answer 29

The Ampulla | More then the Isthmus

Question 30

3 layers of the uterus

Answer 30

1. Perimetrium : top 2. Myometrium : SM circular middle -> Stratum Vasculare + SM longitudinal inner/outer (no vasculature) 3. Endometrium: simple columnar

Question 31

Functional layer and Basal Layer of endometrium

Answer 31

Basal Layer: closest to myometrium, STAYS | Functional Layer : supplied by spiral As. SHED DURING MENSTRUATION, also a component of the placenta

Question 32

What is the blood supply to the endometrium

Answer 32

ARCUATE ARTERIES 1. STRAIGHT SEGMENT : supplies the basal layer 2. COILED (SPIRAL A) SEGMENT : supplies the functional layer and stretches with endometrial growth

Question 33

What does the arcuate artery do right before menstruation

Answer 33

It contracts at the straight-coiled junction | = reduces blood flow ———> destruction of the functional layer

Question 34

Which artery rebuilds the endometrium functional layer

Answer 34

The straight arteries or segments still supplying blood

Question 35

The Menstrual Phase

Answer 35

(Day 1-4) 1. Regression of the corpus luteum 2. Reduced blood supply -necrosis of functional layer 3. Shed functional layer

Question 36

Proliferation Phase

Answer 36

( Days 5-14) 1. Glands proliferate on surface 2. Spiral Arteries elongate and become convoluted into functional layer 3. *Estrogen dependent

Question 37

Secretory Phase

Answer 37

(Days 15-28) post ovulation 1. Thickest endometrium grows 2. Spiral arteries grow into functional layer more 3. Glands appear like “saw tooth” 4. *Estrogen + Progesterone dependent (from corpus luteum)

Question 38

What happens if implantation and fertilization does occur

Answer 38

The Decidual reaction

Question 39

Decidual reaction

Answer 39

1. Functional endometrium helps in placental development 2. Fibroblasts—> decidual cells - store lipids and glycogen - * decidual reaction (lower immune response to sperm and implantation, moderate syncytiotrophoblasts invasion so it doesn’t go too far)

Question 40

Cervix Histology

Answer 40

Endocervix : Simple columnar mucosa + cervical crypts Communications between uterus and vagina through the endocarvix canal Ectocervix : outside part of cervix, Strat. Squamous (closest to vagina)

Question 41

Zone where endocervix —> ectocervix

Answer 41

Transition zone

Question 42

Large dilated cervical crypts

Answer 42

Can become occluded and = Nabothian cysts

Question 43

Vagina Histology

Answer 43

Stratified Squamous non-keratinized NO GLANDS Mucus and secretions are from cervical glands or the Bartholin Gland next to the vagina

Question 44

Estrogen and vagina

Answer 44

Increase glycogen storage (when cells shed off the top like in skin, the bacteria use glycogen to make lactic acid to lower pH)= protect against pathogens Increases growth of the endothelium

Question 45

External Genitalia

Answer 45

Mons Pubis :skin, keritinized, strat squamous Labia Majora : extension of mons pubis, apocrine + sebaceous glands Labia Minora : high BVs, elastic fibers, sebaceous glands

Question 46

The Clitoris Histology

Answer 46

Erectile tissue (2 erectile bodies), trabeculea, spaces and high BVs 1. CORPORA CAVERNOSA : thin CT like tunica Albuginea 2. More layers of CT, vulvar tissue + perineal tissue * large amount of Nerve endings, signaled similarly in ANS * no corpus spongeosum