histology of the male and female reproductive tract Flashcards
(27 cards)
what is the function of the ovaries?
- oogenesis
- oestrogen and progesterone production
what are the two main zones of the ovary?
the cortex
the medulla
what does the ovary cortex contain?
- follicles that contain female gametes at various stages of development
what is the ovary medulla composed of?
loos connective tissue
what is the hilum of the ovarian medulla?
highly vasculature site where arteries and veins enter and leave
what is the ovarian surface covered by?
a layer of cuboidal epithelium
where are follicles found in the ovary?
in the cortex
what are the stages of the follicle life cycle?
primordial follicle –> primary follicle –> secondary follicle –> tertiary follicles –> ovulation –> corpus luteum –> corpus albicans
what is a primordial follicle?
an oocyte and a layer of follicular cells
what is follicular maturation stimulated by?
FSH
what Is the primary follicle?
- a larger oocyte
- follicular cells proliferate to form a sratified layer of cells and granulosa cells
- the zona pellucida
- thecal cells
in the primary follicle a zona pellucida has developed what is this?
a layer of glycoproteins between the oocyte and granulosa cells
what new has developed when the primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle?
- follicular antrum
granulosa cells become thinner
theca differentiates into theca interna and externa
in the secondary follicle what does the theca interna produce?
oestrogen precursors and oestrogen
what does oestrogen promote when produced by the theca interna?
- proliferation of the endometrium for implantation
what is the characteristic feature of a secondary follicle?
antrum
what is new between the secondary follicle and the tertiary graafian follicle?
- a corona radiate around the oocyte
- a cumulus oophrus
what is the corpus luteum?
after ovulation the ruptured follicle collapses and fills with a blood clot.
what does the corpus luteum produce?
progesterone
how long does it take for the corpus luteum to form the corpus albicans?
12-14 days
what happens when the corpus luteum regresses?
the progesterone secretion stops and the endometrial lining collapses
what is the endocervical canal?
it links the uterine cavity and the vagino
what is the endocervix lined by/
mucus secreting columnar epithelium
what is the ectocervix lined by?
stratified squamous epithelium
