Histology of the Female Reproductive Tract

Question 1

What is a eukaryotic cell

Answer 1

A cell with a true nucleus

Question 2

Where are the follicles in the ovary

Answer 2

The cortex

Question 3

What are the various parts of the ovary that we need to know

Answer 3

Superior fibrous cortex covered by epithelium
Medulla
Cortex
Hilum

Question 4

What is important about the medulla

Answer 4

It is highly vascular

It contains connective tissue and nerves, lymph etc but no FOLLICLES

Question 5

What is the hilum

Answer 5

It is the attachment of the broad ligament to the ovary, formed by the stroma of the medulla.

A group of helicine arteries enter the ovary via the hilum from the broad ligament and supply blood to the organ.

Question 6

Where do helicine arteries branch from

Answer 6

the uterine arteries

Question 7

What epithelium lines the ovary

Answer 7

Simple cuboidal

Question 8

What are oogonia?

Answer 8

In early embryonic development (~week 6) germ cells from the yolk sac invade the ovaries and proliferate by mitosis to form oogonia. These oogonia will go on to matur to oocytes.

Question 9

How do oogonia mature to oocytes

Answer 9

via meiosis

Question 10

What is oogenesis

Answer 10

The development of oocytes, the female germ cells, from oogonia.

Question 11

What is folliculogenesis

Answer 11

The growth of the follicle, which consists of the oocyte and any associated support cells

Question 12

What is atresia

Answer 12

Loss of oogonia and oocytes by an apoptosis based process. The cell is resorbed following cell death.

Question 13

What is the name of the follicle when it is finished maturing

Answer 13

Graffian follicle

Question 14

What are the phases of follicular development

Answer 14

Primordial
Primary
Growing primary
Pre antral —- these are all the Pre antral phases

Early antral
Graafian—–these are the antral phases

At this point the follicle is about 20mm

Question 15

What happens to the oocyte if it fails to associate with pregranulosa cells

Answer 15

It will die

Question 16

What type of cells are the pregranulosa cells

Answer 16

Initially they are squamous but if the follicle enters the growth phase they will become cuboidal

Question 17

What defines the primary follicles

Answer 17

the cuboidal granulosa cells - zona granulosa

Question 18

When are primary follicles present in the ovaries

Answer 18

from birth until puberty

Question 19

What parts of the follicle begin to form around the primary follicle as it develops

Answer 19

The theca (interna and externa)
The zona pellucida

Question 20

What secretes oestrogen precursors

Answer 20

theca interna

Question 21

What converts the oestrogen precusors to oestrogen

Answer 21

granulosa cells

Question 22

What is the antrum

Answer 22

A space filled with follicular fluid that forms and enlarges in the granulosa layer

Question 23

What cells are present around the zona pellucida

Answer 23

cumulus cells or corona radiata

Question 24

Explain what happens to the oocyte in the largest graafian follicle before ovulation

Answer 24

• it will complete meiosis 1 to produce one cell called the secondary oocyte
• this will enter the second phase of meiosis but stop at metaphase II
• it will complete full meiosis to become a fully mature oocyte after it has been release (ovulation) and fertilised by sperm

Question 25

What happens to the follicle after ovulation

Answer 25

It becomes a corpus luteum

Question 26

What does the corpus luteum secrete

Answer 26

Progesterone (and oestrogens)

Question 27

What does P and Oest do

Answer 27

Prepares the uterus for implantation

Question 28

What does the corpus luteum become of it does not implant ie it is not fertilised

Answer 28

the corpus albicans

Question 29

What happens if implantation occurs

Answer 29

The placenta secretes HCG which prevents the degeneration of the corpus luteum and maintains progesterone levels (maintaining the pregnancy)

Question 30

Where does fertilization usually occur

Answer 30

In the ampulla of the fallopian tubes

Question 31

What is the epithelium in the ampulla

Answer 31

``` folded mucosa simple columnar epithelium ciliated secretory cells surrounded by smooth muscle (2 layers) ```

Question 32

what is the difference between the lining of the isthmus and the ampulla

Answer 32

less ciliate cells mostly secretory (three layers of smooth muscle)

Question 33

What are the layers of the uterus?

Answer 33

Endometrium (inner secretoy mucosa) Myometrium (3 layers of smooth muscle) Perimetrium (loose connective tissue covered by a mesothelium)

Question 34

What is the endometrium divided into

Answer 34

the stratum functionalis- undergoes monthly growth, degeneration and loss the stratum basalis -reserve tissues that regenerate the functionalis

Question 35

What happens to the uterus during the proliferative phase

Answer 35

The glands stroma and vasculature grow and this increases the thickness of the endometrium

Question 36

What is the epithelium that lines the glands in the uterus

Answer 36

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Question 37

What causes the stroma in the uterus to proliferate

Answer 37

oestrogen

Question 38

What happens to the glands in the uterus during the secretery phase

Answer 38

they become coiled and secrete glycogen

Question 39

What is the epithelium of the cervix

Answer 39

stratified squamous epithelium on its vaginal surface | transitions to mucous secreting simple columnar epithelium,

Question 40

Where does cervical cancer most frequently occur

Answer 40

the transitions zone

Question 41

What is the difference between cervical secretions from the endocervical glands in the prolifeative phase vs the luteal phase

Answer 41

Proliferative = thin and wtery | Luteal phase = thick and viscous

Question 42

What are the four layers of the vagina

Answer 42

Non keratinuzed stratified squamous epithelium. lamina propria fibromuscular layer Adventitia

Question 43

How does the vagina prevent pathogenic bacterial growth

Answer 43

commensal bacteria metabolise glycogen to lactic acid - pathogenic bacteria cannot grow in acidic environment well

Question 44

how is the vagina lubricated

Answer 44

by mucous from the cervical glans and fluid from the vessles of the lamina propria no glands in the wall of the vagina

Question 45

At what level does the keratinized epithelium of the vagina become non keratinized stratifies squamous epithelium

Answer 45

the hymen