Histology of Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What is the name of the outer covering of the Ovary?

Answer 1

Germinal Epithelium (Simple Squamous to Cuboidal Mesothelium)

Question 2

What is the name of the thick connective tissue layer that is just deep to the Germinal Epithelium?

Answer 2

Tunica Albuginea

Question 3

Where are you going to find the vascular, neural, and lymphatic supply in the Ovary?

Answer 3

Medulla

- Space was provided for these structures by degeneration of the PRIMARY sex cords

Question 4

What is the precursor of the Ovarian Cortex? Which structures are located within the cortex?

Answer 4

• Secondary sex cords

- Houses the Follicles with oogonia

Question 5

List the three phases of the Ovarian Cycle.

Answer 5

1. Follicular Phase
2. Ovulatory Phase
3. Luteal Phase

Question 6

Describe the histological features of the Primordial Follicle.

Answer 6

Single layer of squamous follicular (granulosa) cells

Question 7

Which hormone will stimulate the Primordial Follicles to mature?

Answer 7

FSH

Question 8

Describe the histological features of an Unilaminar (Early) Primary Follicle.

Answer 8

• Single layer of Simple CUBOIDAL follicular (granulosa) cells
• Zona Pellucida separates the oocyte and follicular cells

Question 9

Describe the histological features of a Multilaminar (Late) Primary Follicle.

Answer 9

• Follicular cells proliferate into a STRATIFIED CUBOIDAL epithelium known as the ZONA GRANULOSA
• Zona Pellucida enlarges and is clearly seen
• Theca interna (Flattened cells just Outside of the Granulosa Cells)
• Theca Externa (Round cells outside of the Theca Interna cells)

Question 10

Describe the histological features of the Secondary Follicle?

Answer 10

• Follicular Antrum within the Granulosa Layer
• Increase in cell layers of the ZONA Granulosa
• Thicker Zona Pellucida
• Theca Interna is much more evident (contributes to production of estrogens)

Question 11

What creates the antrum within the Zona Granulosa?

Answer 11

Fusion of the CALL-EXNER Bodies

Question 12

What is a meiotic state of the Preovulatory (Graffian) Follicle? Is it formed before or After Ovulation? What is its diploidy?

Answer 12

Metaphase II

BEFORE Ovulation

Oocyte is now 2N

Question 13

In which cell will the Follicular Antrum reach its maximum size?

Answer 13

Preovulatory (Graffian) Follicle

Question 14

List and describe the different types of Granulosa Cells that are going to be present in the Preovulatory Follicle. (3)

Answer 14

1. Cumulus Oophorous - Anchors oocyte to wall of follicle and is the nutrient delivery channel
2. Mural Granulosa Cells - Lining the wall of the Follicle
3. Corona Radiata - Granulosa cells firmly anchored to zona pellucida and secretes HYALURONIC acid-rich product that will AID in the fallopian tube uptake

Question 15

Describe what happens during Follicular Atresia

Answer 15

• Granulosa Cells undergo apoptosis and are replaced by a fibrous material
• GLASSY MEMBRANE: made from the Basement Membrane and the Zona Pellucida

Question 16

Which hormone will Trigger the Ovulatory Phase?

Answer 16

LH Surge

Question 17

Describe what the Corpus Hemorrhagicum is.

Answer 17

• Blood vessels from the Theca Interna are going to invade and fill the Antrum of the Follicle
• Clotting and Fibrosis will occurs over the weeks

Question 18

What happens after the stigma is formed in the Preovulatory Follice?

Answer 18

The Follicle is going to rupture and the Oocyte will be released!

Question 19

Which cell layer makes up the Corpus Luteum?

Answer 19

Mural Granulosa Cell Layer

Question 20

Describe the cell transformations in during Luteinization in the Corpus Luteum.

Answer 20

1. Mural Granulosa Cells –> Granulosa Lutein Cells
   - Granulosa Lutein cells secrete progesterone and estrogen in response to BOTH FSH and LH
   - Still Lack Enzyme for complete synthesis of Estradiol
2. Theca Interna Cells –> Theca Lutein Cells
   - Secrete Androstenedione and Progesterone in response to LH

Question 21

If fertilization does not occur, the Corpus Luteum is going to regress and form which structure?

Answer 21

Corpus Albincans (Scar on Ovary)

Question 22

Describe the three layers of the Uterine Tubes.

Answer 22

1. Mucosa: Simple Columnar Epithelium, Ciliated Cells, and Nonciliated secretory Cells (PEG Cells)
2. Smooth Muscle: Inner Circular and Outer Longitudinal Layers
3. Serosa

Question 23

What is the function of the Ciliated and non-Ciliated Cells located in the Mucosa of the Uterine Tubes?

Answer 23

• Ciliated: Moves the egg along the uterine tube. Estrogen will stimulate the motion of the cilia
• Non-Ciliated (PEG Cells): Release nutrients that will give nutrition to the eggs as they journey along the Uterine Tube

Question 24

If fertilization does occur, which part of the Uterine Tube does it occur in?

Answer 24

Ampulla of the Uterine Tube

Question 25

Describe the different layers within the Body of the Uterus.

Answer 25

1. Endometrium (Mucosa): Superficial Functional Layer (LOST during menstruation; Simple COLUMNAR epithelial lining and Simple TUBULAR endometrial glands) and BASAL Layer (Source of REGENERATION of cells) 2. Myometrium: Inner Longitudinal M., Middle Circular M. (Stratum Vasculare) and Outer Longitudinal M. 3. Perimetrium: Adventitia or Serosa

Question 26

Which layer of the Uterus will undergo Hypertrophy during Pregnancy?

Answer 26

Myometrium of the Uterus

Question 27

Which two arteries will provide blood supply to the Uterus?

Answer 27

1. Ovarian a. | 2. Uterine a.

Question 28

Describe the Branching Pattern of Arteries on your way to the Endometrium.

Answer 28

- Arcuate A. off of Ovarian/Uterine a. - Radial A. - Straight a. (Supplies Basal Layer of Endometrium; is NOT lost in menstruation) - Spiral a. (Supplies Functional Layer of Endometrium; LOST with menstruation)

Question 29

Describe the Three Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in relation to the endometrium of the Uterus.

Answer 29

1. Menstrual: Getting rid of the Functional Layer of the Endometrium 2. Proliferative: Building up the Endometrium to be ready for implantation 3. Secretory: Best Phase for Implantation to Occur!

Question 30

How can you tell histologically that you are in the Menstrual Phase?

Answer 30

- Outer Columnar Epithelial is not structured | - NO GLANDS

Question 31

How can you tell histologically that you are in the Proliferative Phase?

Answer 31

- Nice Outer Epithelial Lining - May see some Blood Vessels - You will see GLANDS!

Question 32

What is happening in the Secretory Phase to the Endometrium?

Answer 32

- Functional Layer becomes THICK (Increase in Cells, Edema, and Ground Substance - Spiral Arteries become long! - Endometrial GLANDS become hypertrophied with GLYCOGEN-RICH secretory products

Question 33

Which phase of the Ovarian cycle is going to be the "variable" stage?

Answer 33

Follicular Phase

Question 34

Explain the structure of the Cervix.

Answer 34

Endocervix: Opening of Internal Uterine Os, SIMPLE COLUMNAR epithelium, Mucous secreting Glands, NABOTHIAN CYSTS (blockage of mucus glands) Ectocervix: Opening into the Vagina, STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS epithelium, Squamous-Columnar Junction

Question 35

Where is the Squamous-Columnar Junction start and where does is migrate to? Which cells are replacing the other? Why is this Clinically Important?

Answer 35

Starts just outside the External Uterine Os and Migrates up into the Cervical Canal! (Transformation ZONE) SQUAMOUS cells are going to replace the Columnar Cells Important for Pap Smears (sampling cells from the Transition Zone) looking for HPV infections!

Question 36

Which cells can become cancerous after a HPV infection? Which cells are cancerous when Adenocarcinoma?

Answer 36

HPV: SQUAMOUS Cell Carcinoma Adenocarcinoma: COLUMNAR Cell Carcinoma

Question 37

Describe the three layers in the Vagina.

Answer 37

1. Mucosal Layer: STRATIFIED squamous epithelium, LAMINA PROPRIA does NOT have GLANDS! 2. Muscularis Layer: Circular and Longitudinal Smooth Muscle 3. Adventitial Layer

Question 38

Where does the Vagina receive lubrication from?

Answer 38

1. Mucus Secreting Glands from ENDOCERVIX | 2. Greater Vestibular Glands (In Bulb of the Vagina)