Histology of the Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What type of epithelium is the Ovarian Surface Epithelium?

Answer 1

Simple squamous-to-low cuboidal

Question 2

What does the cortex of the ovary contain?

Answer 2

Connective tissue

Follicles with primary oocytes arrested at the end of prophase I

Question 3

What does the medulla of the ovary contain?

Answer 3

CT

Interstitial cells

Neurovasculature and lymphatics

Question 4

What cells surround and support the oocyte?

Answer 4

Follicular/granulosa cells

Question 5

What cells are recruited by the primordial follicles to initiate folliculogenesis?

Answer 5

Granulosa cells

Question 6

In what cell division phase is a primary oocyte arrested in?

Answer 6

Prophase I of Meiosis I

Question 7

What will granulosa cells eventually segregate into?

Answer 7

1. Cumulus Oophorous
2. Mural Granulosa
3. Corona Radiata

Question 8

What phase do secondary oocytes arrest in?

Answer 8

Metaphase II of Meiosis II

Question 9

What is the coat of glycoproteins encasing a primary oocyte called?

Answer 9

Zona Pellucida

Question 10

Histologically, what do you see when a primordial follicle changes to a primary follicle?

Answer 10

Single layer of granulosa cells => Simple cuboidal layer of granulosa cells

Question 11

What differentiates a secondary follicle from a late primary follicle?

Answer 11

Formation of the antrum in the secondary follicle

Organized theca cells

Question 12

What does the theca interna produce?

Answer 12

Androstenedione => Estradiol

Question 13

Call-Exner bodies are a hallmark of what?

Answer 13

Secondary follicle, will fill with follicular fluid and coalesce to become the antrum

Question 14

Where does follicular fluid come from?

Answer 14

Blood vessels of the theca interna

Question 15

What are the hallmarks of a mature follicle?

Answer 15

Largest antrum

Fully segregated granulosa cells

Organized thecal layers

Question 16

What type of granulosa cells actively synthesize and secrete estrogen and produce follicular fluid?

Answer 16

Mural granulosa cells

Question 17

What granulosa cells anchor the primary oocyte to the mature follicle?

Answer 17

Cumulus oophorous

Question 18

In what phase does proteolysis of theca cells and tunica albuginea cause rupture?

Answer 18

Ovulatory phase

Question 19

Corpus hemorragicum is formed during what phase? As a result of what?

Answer 19

Luteal phase

Blood enters empty antrum and coagulates

Question 20

Theca Lutein cells arise from what?

Answer 20

Theca Interna cells

Question 21

Deficiency in progesterone during pregnancy may result in what?

Answer 21

Miscarriage

No progesterone to signal to the brain to stop luteolysis

Question 22

Corpus Albicans is the remnant of what?

Answer 22

Corpus luteum after luteolysis

Question 23

When does corpus involution typically occur?

Answer 23

14 days after ovulation

Question 24

What is the mechanism for follicular atresia?

Answer 24

Apoptosis

Question 25

What occurs during follicular atresia?

Answer 25

Failure of a follicle to ovulate so it regresses/degenerates to ensure only viable follicles are available

Question 26

What are the 4 regions of the oviduct?

Answer 26

Proximal infundibulum w/ fimbriae Long, thin-walled ampulla Short, thick-walled isthmus Intramural portion opening up into uterus

Question 27

What are the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct lined with?

Answer 27

Mucosal folds

Question 28

Where do most fertilizations occur?

Answer 28

Ampulla of the oviduct

Question 29

Where are the mucosal folds the greatest in the oviduct?

Answer 29

Ampulla

Question 30

What type of epithelium makes of the mucosal layer of the Oviduct?

Answer 30

Simple columnar

Question 31

What type of cells make up the wall of the oviduct?

Answer 31

Simple columnar epithelium Lamina propria Ciliated cells Nonciliated secretory cells (peg cells)

Question 32

What is response of the ciliated cell of the oviduct to high estrogen?

Answer 32

Enlarge, grow in height, produce cilia during foliculogenesis

Question 33

What is the response of the ciliated cell of the oviduct to increased progesterone?

Answer 33

Luteolysis, Lose cilia and decrease height

Question 34

What is the non-ciliated (peg) cell's respones to high estrogen?

Answer 34

Secrete nutrients for egg during migration

Question 35

What type of epithelium comprises the endometrium?

Answer 35

Simple columnar with simple tubular endometrial glands

Question 36

What is the muscular layer of the uterus?

Answer 36

Myometrium - smooth muscle Thick central circular layer, highly vascularized with inner and outer longitudinal or oblique layers

Question 37

What part of the arcuate arteries supply the basal layer of the endometrium?

Answer 37

Straight segment

Question 38

What part of the arcuate arteries supply the functional layer of the endometrium?

Answer 38

Coiled segment

Question 39

What phase of the menstrual cycle is estrogen-dependent?

Answer 39

Proliferative phase (Day 5-14)

Question 40

What phase of the menstrual cycle is the endometrium optimal for implantation?

Answer 40

Secretory phase (Day 15-28)

Question 41

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle and how long do each last?

Answer 41

Menstrual phase (1-4) Proliferative phase (5-14) Secretory phase (15-28) Ischemic phase (1)

Question 42

What is the purpose of the decidual reaction?

Answer 42

Endometrial stromal cells increase in size and transform into decidual cells at site of implantation to protect the embryo

Question 43

What tissue is characterized by folded simple columnar mucosa with deep crypts?

Answer 43

Endocervix

Question 44

What type of epithelium lines the ectocervix?

Answer 44

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 45

A cervical crypt that becomes occluded is known as what?

Answer 45

Nabothian cyst

Question 46

What is the hallmark of a vaginal histological slide?

Answer 46

No glands Mucosal, muscularis, and adventitial layer

Question 47

How does the epithelium of the vagina appear during ovulation?

Answer 47

Stratified epithelium fully differentiated Acidophilic squamous cells are seen

Question 48

How does the epithelium of the vagina appear after ovulation?

Answer 48

Decreased number of squamous cells Lots of basophilic polygonal cells High amount of neutrophils/lymphocytes

Question 49

What layer of the cervix is most prone to dysplasia?

Answer 49

Ectocervix

Question 50

What type of epithelium comprises the mons pubis?

Answer 50

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with hair follicles covering subcutaneous fat overlying the symphysis pubis

Question 51

How would the labia majora appear on a histological slide?

Answer 51

Pigmented skin with hair follicles and glands (apocrine sweat and sebaceous) covering the fat pad

Question 52

How would the labia minora appear on a histological slide?

Answer 52

Pigmented skin folds with abundant blood vessels, elastic fibers, and sebaceous glands

Question 53

How would the hymen appear on a histological slide?

Answer 53

External - keratinized stratified squamous Internal - nonkeratinized stratified squamous