Female Reproductive System Histology Flashcards
(131 cards)
1
Q
What is the exocrine function of the ovary?
A
egg production and cytogenic secretions
2
Q
What is the endocrine function of the ovary?
A
estrogen production
progesterone production
3
Q
What are the functions of the oviduct (or fallopian tube)?
A
ovum pick-up and transport
sperm transport
site of fertilizaiton
egg nourishment
unfortunately, also a conduit for transmission of infectious agents into the peritoneal cavity
4
Q
What are the function sof the uterus?
A
- implantation site for conceptus
2. contributes to formation of placenta if pregnancy occurs
5
Q
What are the functions of the placenta?
A
nourishment of the fetus
selective exchange of material between fetus and mother
provides a fluid environment/cushion for developing fetus
hormonal functions
6
Q
What suspends the ovaries?
A
the mesovarium of the broad ligament
7
Q
What covers the outside of the ovary?
A
the germinal epithelium made from peritoneal covering
8
Q
What are the two zones of the ovary?
A
medulla and cortex
9
Q
What zone has all the follicles?
A
the cortex
the medulla mainly has the blood vessel, lymph and nerves
10
Q
What layer is immediately under the germinal epithelium?
A
the tunica albuginea
it’s a dense fibrous connective tissue layer
11
Q
What embryological structure gives rise to the primordial germ cells in the female?
A
yolk sac
12
Q
About how many oogonia develop initially?
A
1x10^6
13
Q
About how many primordial and primary follicles are present at the onset of puberty?
A
400,000
14
Q
How many eggs will eventually mature and ovulate during a woman’s lifetime?
A
400-500
15
Q
Are the prmordial germ cells that migrate to the ovary diploid or haploid?
A
diploid (have 46 chromosoma)
16
Q
What cells surround the primordial germ cell in the ovary?
A
the follicular cells
17
Q
At what developmental age do the primordial oogonia begin to enlarge and become primary oocytes?
A
third fetal month
18
Q
What cell cycle stage do the primary oocytes become stuck in?
A
the primordial oogonia enlarge and start meiosis I, only to be halted in prophase I
19
Q
How long will the primary oocytes remain in prophase I?
A
until just prior to ovulation
20
Q
How many oocytes finish maturation per month
A
typically only 1
21
Q
At what stage does the secondary oocyte become arrested?
A
metaphase II
22
Q
Describe the follicular cells in a primordial follicle? What are they maybe derived from? They have receptors for what hormone?
A
has a single layer of flattened cells
maybe derived from germinal epithelial cells
have FSH receptors
23
Q
Describe the follicular cells of the primary follicle. What are they called now?
A
They become taller - columnar (unilaminar primary follicle) and also eventually multiply so the layer becomes stratified (multilaminar primary follicle)
they are now called granulosa cells
24
Q
What do the stromal cells begin to develop to surround the granulosa cells?
A
theca folliculi
which will eventually divide into a theca intera and a theca externa
25
What is the gel-like neutral protein that starts to be formed by the granulosa cells and oocyte in the primary follicle stage?
the zona pellucida
26
FOrmation of what differentiates a primary follicle from a secondary follicle?
antral space formation - begin as small spaces between the granulosa cells, eventually these small spaces become confluent to form the antrum
27
What is the antral space filled with?
liquor folliculi (has GAGs, plasma proteins, gonadal steroid hormones, proteoglycans, FSH, inhibin, elecrolytes, etc.)
28
What do the granulosa cells begin to form around the oocyte in the secondary follicles?
the cumulus oophorus
29
Describe the theca interna.
it's a highly vascular, epithelioid region of stromal cells just outside the basement membrane of the follicle
30
What do the theca interna cells produce?
androgens, which are released intot he antrum with the follicular fluid
31
Describe the theca externa
region beyond the theca interna made of fusiform cells and collagen
no known secreotry function
somewhat resemble smooth muscle
32
What is another term for a mature follicle?
Graafian Follicle
33
Total maturation time for a follicle requires how long?
about 3 months
34
In the mature follicle, what is the term for the granulosa cells that are in direct contact with the egg and those that radially arrange around the zona pellucida?
corona radiata
35
What hormone signals the final maturation of the egg in the mature follicle?
LH
36
What is produced when the primary oocyte completes meiosis I?
the first polar body
37
What forms during ovulation to allow the egg to rupture out?
the stigma
the follicular wall adjacent to the tuna albuginea thins out via decreased blood flow and maybe protease release
38
After the ovum ruptures out of the follicle, what do the remnants of the follicle rapidly reorganize to form?
the corpus luteum
39
What does FSH do in regards to granulosa cells?
It stimulates their growth and promotes their synthesis of estrogen
40
FSH also stimulates receptors for what?
LH
41
What does LH do?
1. stimulates thecal cell growth and androgen production
| 2. stimualtes progesterone production in the granulos acells
42
What happens to the androgens produced by the thecal cells?
the granulosa cells have aromatase that will convert it to estrogen
43
the dominant follicle becomes a very efficient secretor of what hormone?
estrogen
44
What are the two main cell components of the corpus luteum?
granulosa components become the granulosa lutein cells
theca interna components become the theca lutein cells
45
What do the granulosa lutein and theca lutein cells produce?
progesterone and some estrogen
46
Which corpus luteum always frms? How big does it get? How long does it last?
the corpus luteum of menstruction
reaches 1.5-2 cm
if the embryo does not get fertilizes, it will involute in about 14 days
47
What is the scar tissue from this involution called?
the corpora albicans (white scar)
48
What is the other corpus luteum?
the corpus luteum of pregnancy
49
How big does that one get?
5 cm
50
What maintains the corpus luteum of pregnancy?
maintained by hCG produced by the trophoglast
51
How long does the corpus luteum of pregnancy persist?
through the first trimester and then slowly involutes
52
Estrogen is primarily produced by what in this system?
the growing follicle
53
What are some of the functions of this estrogen?
1. induces maturation of female reproductive tract and mammary glands
2. directs repair of uterus following menstruation
3. influences growth of mammary gland sin pregnancy
54
Progesterone is primary produced by what?
the corpus luteum
55
What are the functions of the progesterone?
1. causes uterine glands to secrete
2. prepares uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum
3. aids in the growth of mammary glands
4. inhibits uterine contractions
56
What produces relaxin?
the corpus luteum and decidual cells of the placenta
57
What are the actions of relaxin?
1. inhibits contractions of myometrium during pregnancy
2. promotes dilation of cervix
3. loosens symphysis pubis in some species
58
What percentage of follicles involute without ever completely maturing?
over 99%!
59
In general terms, describe what happens in follicular atresia.
1. the ovum degenerates first
2. follicular cells then degenerate
3. theca interna cells degenerate last
4. entire structure is replaced by scar tissue
60
What stage of development are the follicles when they become atretic?
they can be in any developmental stage (besides mature obviously)
61
On to the fallopian tube or oviduct....
1
62
What are the three divisions of the oviduct?
ampulla
isthmus
intramural portion
63
What extra portion is included in the ampulla? What is its purpose?
the infundibulum
it's the funnel-shaped open end with fimbria that serve to catch the released ova
64
Describe the mucosa of the ampulla?
mucosa with elavorate branching folds
the epithelium is simple columnar ciliated
65
What are the two types of epithelial cells in the ampulla?
1. ciliated cells to transport the egg toward the uterus
| 2. secretory cells (peg cells) for tubal fluid production, proteins, and ions
66
How do the ciliated cells respond to estrogen?
they will increase the number of cilia
67
How will the secreoty cells respond to progesterone and estrogen?
progesterone - increase in height and number
| estrogen - increase secretory activity
68
How does the mucosa of the isthmus compare to that of the ampulla?
1. fewer folds than in the ampulla (unbranched)
2. reduced numbers of ciliated cells, but secretory cells are still quite active
3. smaller diameter
69
How does the intramural segment mucosa compare to that of the ampulla and isthus?
1. almost no folds
2. no cilia - just secretory cells
3. smallest diameter
70
What additional layer is included in all those mucosal folds?
lamina propria
71
Describe the muscularis of the fallopian tube.
has an inner circulaer layer of smooth muscle which is very thick
outer longituinal layer is thin and incomplete
72
What does that smooth muscle allow for in the fallopian tube?
allows for tubal peristalsis to help embryo transport through the isthmus during the luteal phase
73
What are the three structural divisions of the uterus?
body
fundus
cervix
74
What are the three uterine wall layers from outside to inside?
perimetrium
myometrium
endometrium
75
Describe the epitheliuum of the endometrium.
1. simple columnar epithelium
2. surface cells are ciliated at the opening of simple tubular glands
there is a lamina propria just beyond that
76
What are the two zones of endometrium?
basal layer
| functional layer
77
Describe the basal layer. Why is it so important?
it's the deepest layer and is relatively narrow
the glands here do not cycle thorough the menstrual cycle an dare not shed during menstruation or parturition
they are responsible for regeneration of the functional layer!
78
What are the two subdivisions of the functional layer?
superficial compact layer
| deep spongy layer
79
Which of the functional layer subdivisions comprises the bulk of the endometrium?
the deep spongy
80
Which one becomes really edematous before sloughing?
the deep spongy
81
How many layers comprise the myometrium?
three
the cells interweave in a complex manner which makes them hard to differentiate
82
Where in the uterus is the smooth muscle myometrium reduced?
in the cervix
83
How do the muscle fibers respond to the menstrual cycle?
the fibers are shortest during the first week after menstruation
fibers are longest in the fourth week of the cycle
84
During pregnancy, does the myometrium respond largely by hypertrophy or hyperplasia?
mostly hypertrophy, but some of both
85
Describe the blood supply in order?
```
uterine arteries (in broad ligament)
arcuiat arteries (in myometrium)
Straight arteries (stratum basale)
Spiral (or helical) arteries (stratum functionale)
capillaries
```
86
How long does the menstrual cycle last on average?
29 days
but can range from 21 to 40
87
What are the 5 phases of the menstrual cycle?
```
proliferative phase
secretory phase
premenstrual (ischemic) phase
menstrual phase
repair phase
```
88
What stage is the most variable in length?
proliferative
89
In general terms, when does the proliferative phase occur?
Day 7-14 of the cycle (beginning at the end of the menstrual flow)
90
What hormone induces the proliferative phase?
estrogen (from the androgens of the theca converted to estrogen by granulosa aromatase)
91
How much thicker does the endometrium become during the proliferative phase?
undergoes a 2-3 fold increase (entirely because of the functional layer)
92
Is the increase in thickness due to numerous mitoses in the glands or in the stroma?
trick question - both
93
Describe what happens to the tubular glands during the proliferative phase.
1. increase in number
2. increase in length (remain straight)
3. accumulate glycogen
94
Describe what happens to the coiled arteries during the proliferative phase.
they elongate, but do not reach the surface
95
The secretory phase tends to occur during what days of the cycle?
15-26
96
What is the primary event that occurs in the secretory phase?
ovulation
97
Ovulation precipitates the formation of the corpus luteum, which does what to the hormone profile?
progesterone secretion increases dramatically
estrogen secretion also increases slightly
98
Endometrial thickening continues during the secretory phase, but what is it driven by now?
stromal edema rather than mitoses
99
Describe what happens to the glands during the secretory phase.
the glands dilate and become saccular and tortuous
cells accumulate glycogen, salts and proteins
100
Why all the glycogen accumulation?
It's essentially preparing the uterus to be a good place for a fertilized egg to implant
101
What happens to the coiled arteries during the secretory phase?
they elongate and become convoluted
they extend into the superficial portion of the endometrium
102
During the secretory phase, stromal cells will continue to accumulate glycogen and lipid dropletes. What will they form if pregnancy occurs
the decidua of the placenta
103
What stage occurs after the secretory phase?
the premenstrual (ischemic) phase
104
What does does the premenstrual phase occur on?
27-28
105
What happens to the corpus luteum during the premenstrual phase?
it regresses
106
What happens to the coiled arteries in response to the decline in progesterone?
they will start to constrict intermittently
107
What happens due to this intermittent constriction?
the vessels become weak and you start to see small stromal hemorrhages with seepage into the uterine lumen
108
Eventually this vascular constriction becomes permanent. What does this lead to?
the terminal portions become anoxic and necrose
endometrium detachment begins
arterioles will bleed directly onto the denuded surface
109
What occurs after the secretory phase?
the menstrual phase - days 1-4
110
WHat happens in the menstrual phase?
duh...you menstruate
the functional layer of the endometrium undergoes completed necrosis and shedding
111
True or false: menstrual blood does not clot.
true - there is fibrinolysin that prevents clotting
the "clots" you can see are RBC aggregates
112
What happens after the menstrual phase?
the repair phase - days 5-6
113
What happens during the repair phase?
the denuded surface is re-epithelialized from the glands and stroma
the coiled arteries being to re-grow
114
Is the mucosa of the cervix shed during menstruation?
no
115
Instead of menstruation, what is the response of the cervical mucosa to the menstrual cycle?
alters the type of secretion
116
Describe the epithelium of the cervical mucosa
simple columnar with basal nuclei, pale cytoplasm
they secrete mucous
some cells are ciliated
117
What happens to the epithelium at the external cervical os?
There is an abrupt transition from simple columnar to stratified squamous non-keratinizing epithelium
this is the squamocolumnar junction
118
Why is the squamocolumnar junction important clinically?
this is where most carcinomas of the cervix develop
119
Are there coiled arteries in the lamina propria of the cervix?
nope
120
Describe the myometrium of the cervix?
it's comprised primarily of dense connective tissue - remember that the smooth muscle things out...
there is some smooth muscle present, but irregularly arranged
121
There are tons of mucosal glands in the cervix. they are large and branching. What happens if their ducts become occluded?
Nabothian cysts - usually not pathological, but may need surgical removal if they block the os
122
Describe the cervical mucus produced under the high estrogen stimulation of the secretory phase just prior and during ovulation?
it's estrogenic mucus with low viscocity
this permits sperm migration
123
Describe the cervical mucus during the rest of the cycle?
Gestrogenic mucus
high viscosity to retard sperm and particle passage
124
Describe the epithelium of the vagina.
stratified squamous non-keratinizing
125
The cells of the vagina become loaded with glycogen. Why is this important?
the lactobacilli (normal microflora of the vagina) consume it to produce lactic acid, which causes an acidic pH in the vagina to hinder growth of other pathogens
126
What will happen to the mucosa of the vagina during the follicular phase?
1. proliferation and hypertrophy of basal cells
2. glycogen synthesis and storage
3. exfoliated cells are eosinophilic and reach maximal in number during the periovulatory period
127
What will happen to the mucosa of the vagina during the luteal phase?
1. decrease in epithelial height
2. exfoliated cells decrease in number and become basophilic
3. leukocytes appear and are shed into the lumen
128
Describe the lamina propria of the vagina.
```
moderately dense connective tissue
many leukocytes
elastic fibers
numerous blood vessels in deeper layers
numerous transverse folds (rugae)
no glands
```
129
If there are no vaginal glands, how does it become lubricated?
cervical secretions and some fluid transudation from vaginal blood vessels
130
Describe the muscularis of the vagina
interlacing bundles of smooth muscle with a thin inner circular group and a thick outer longitudinal group
131
What skeletal muscle forms a type of sphincter around the ostium of the vagina?
the bulbocavernosus
