Female reproductive physiology/histology Flashcards
Primordial follicle
earliest stage, just beneath tunica albuginea, arrested at prophase I. Contains primary oocyte, eccentric nucleus with dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli. Single layer of squamous follicular cells.
Primary follicle
1-3 layers of cuboidal follicular cells->stratum granulosum, theca folliculi (external to basal lamina) primary oocyte enlarges, zona pellucida begins to form.
Secondary follicle
accumulation of follicular liquid, growth of primary oocyte inhibited by granulosa cells, well-developed zona pellucida, theca interna (vascular), theca externa (smooth muscle).
Graafian follicle
mature follicle, large central antrum, primary oocyte eccentric, cumulus oophorus (thickened mound of granulosa cells, detaches prior to ovulation), corona radiata (granulosa cells immediately surrounding oocyte).
estrogen effects on oviduct
Increase: endosalpinx epithelial size, blood flow to lamina propria, oviduct-specific gylcoproteins, ciliogenesis, mucus, muscular tone of the isthmus.
progesterone effects on oviduct
Decrease: epithelial size, ciliation, mucus, smooth muscle tone.
Endometrium: stratum functionale
thickest portion, soughed during menstruation
stratum spongiosum: broad, intermediate layer, spongy appearance
stratum compactum: thin, superficial layer, stromal appearance
Endometrium: stratum basale
retained during menstration, source of regeneration for stratum functionale
Uterine arterial supply
myometrium: branches of uterine aa.
stratum basale: straight aa.
stratum functionale: spiral aa.
endocervix
uterine cavity to external os. Mucous-secreting columnar epithelium, tubular glands extends into lamina.
ectocervix
continuous with vaginal epithelium, stratified squamous epithelium
transformational zone
transition from columnar to squamous epithelium.
Reproductive age: just outside external os
Pre-puberty and post-menopause: within cervical canal
95% of cervical epithelial neoplasia arise here.
