Histology of Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

Name the two functions of the ovary

Answer 1

Produce gametes (oogenesis)
Produce steroids (oestrogen + progesterone)

Question 2

What is contained in the medulla of the ovary

Answer 2

It is the core of the ovary. Contains loose connective tissue, arteries, veins and lymphatics

Question 3

Describe the structure of the cortex of the ovary

Answer 3

Has an outer shell called the tunica albuginea. This is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells -> germinal epithelium

Question 4

At what stage of development are oogonia formed

Answer 4

week 6

Question 5

How are oogonia formed

Answer 5

Germ cells from yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis -> oogonia

Question 6

How do oogonia become oocytes (ova)

Answer 6

Undergo development and division by meiosis

Question 7

Define oogenesis

Answer 7

Development of oocytes from oogonia

Question 8

Define atresia

Answer 8

Loss of oogonia and oocytes by apoptosis

Question 9

Define folliculogenesis

Answer 9

Growth of the follicle- consists of oocyte + support cells

Question 10

What are pregranulosa cells

Answer 10

Follicle cells

Question 11

What happens if an oocyte fails to associate with a pregranulosa cell

Answer 11

It dies

Question 12

what cell type are pregranulosa cells before and after the growth phase

Answer 12

squamous cells pre growth phase

cuboidal cells once they enter growth phase

Question 13

What is the primary follicle

Answer 13

Cuboidal granulosa cells

Question 14

what is the theca folliculi

Answer 14

The structure formed when stroll cells associate with the primary follicle

Question 15

What is the zona pellucida

Answer 15

Special layer of extracellular matrix between oocyte + granulosa cells

Question 16

What does the inner layer of the theca folliculi become

Answer 16

Theca interna

Question 17

What does the theca interna secrete

Answer 17

Oestrogen precursors

Question 18

Which cells convert oestrogen precursors to oestrogen

Answer 18

Granulosa cells

Question 19

what is the secondary follicle formed from

Answer 19

The Antrum of the primary follicle

Question 20

which follicles are the largest

Answer 20

Graafin follicles

Question 21

One day before ovulation the oocyte in the largest graafin follicle completes meiosis 1. What is produced?

Answer 21

Not two equal cells, but one cell called a secondary oocyte

Question 22

At what stage of meiosis does the secondary oocyte stop at

Answer 22

metaphase

Question 23

When will the secondary oocyte complete meiosis

Answer 23

only after it has been ovulated and fertilised

Question 24

What happens to the follicle after ovulation

Answer 24

it becomes the corpus luteum

Question 25

what does the corpus luteum secrete

Answer 25

progesterone via granulosa cells

Question 26

If there is no implantation, what happens to the corpus luteum

Answer 26

it degenerates into the corpus albicans

Question 27

What happens if implantation occurs

Answer 27

Placenta secretes HCG

Question 28

Name the parts of the uterine tube

Answer 28

Isthmus Ampulla Infundibulum Fimbria

Question 29

Describe the mucosa of the ampulla

Answer 29

Mucosa Is folded + lined by columnar epithelium with ciliated cells and secretory cells. It is surrounded by smooth muscle

Question 30

where does fertilisation occur

Answer 30

ampulla

Question 31

What are the 3 layers of the uterus wall

Answer 31

Endometrium Myometrium Perimetrium

Question 32

Which layer of the uterus is shed in menstruation

Answer 32

Endometrium

Question 33

How many layers of smooth muscle are in the myometrium

Answer 33

3

Question 34

What tissue type covers the perimetrium

Answer 34

mesothelium

Question 35

What is the endometrium divided into

Answer 35

``` Stratum functionalis (undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss) Stratum basalis (reserve tissue that regenerates functionalis) ```

Question 36

What substance do the glands in the endometrium secrete

Answer 36

glycogen

Question 37

what physiological causes the endometrium to be shed in the menstrual phase

Answer 37

Arteriole constriction. Deprives tissues of blood- ishaemia. Results in tissue breakdown + leakage of blood

Question 38

What is the cervix composed of

Answer 38

fibrous connective tissue

Question 39

what is the transitional zone of the cervix

Answer 39

the area where histology changes from stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium

Question 40

what is the mucous secreted by endocerivcal glands like in the proliferative phase

Answer 40

thin + watery

Question 41

what is the mucous secreted by endocerivcal glands like following ovulation

Answer 41

thick + viscous

Question 42

what is a nabothian cyst

Answer 42

a blocked endocervical gland

Question 43

Name the 4 layers of the vagina

Answer 43

1. non keratinised stratified squamous epithelium 2. lamina propria 3. Fibromuscular layer 4. Adventitia

Question 44

when is the non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium of the vagina thickest

Answer 44

reproductive years due to glycogen accumulation

Question 45

what is the role of commensal bacteria of the vagina

Answer 45

metabolise glycogen to lactic acid -> inhibits growth of pathogenic bacteria