Lab Eight

Question 1

Where are the ovaries located?

Answer 1

The ovaries are located in the pelvic cavity.

Question 2

What is the largest ovarian attachment called?

Answer 2

The largest ovarian attachment is called the broad ligament.

Question 3

Uterine tubes are also known as?

Answer 3

Either oviducts or Fallopian tubes.

Question 4

Name the funnel-shaped expansion of the Fallopian tubes near the ovary.

Answer 4

Infundibulum.

Question 5

Which ligament connects the upper portion of the uterus to the pelvic wall?

Answer 5

The round ligament.

Question 6

Which portion of the uterus extends downwards into the upper portion of the vagina?

Answer 6

The cervix.

Question 7

What is the female external genitalia called?

Answer 7

The vulva or pudendum.

Question 8

Name the round mass of fatty tissue overlying the pubic symphysis.

Answer 8

The mons pubis.

Question 9

Which female organ is analogous to the male penis?

Answer 9

The female clitoris.

Question 10

Describe the anatomical relationships of the uterine tubes

Answer 10

• The uterine tubes and uterus are enclosed within an extensive mesentery called the broad ligament
• The uterine tubes extend along the superior border of the broad ligament and open into the peritoneal cavity lateral to the ovaries

Question 11

Describe the anatomical relationships of the uterus.

Answer 11

• The uterus is located in the pelvis, anterior to the rectum and posterosuperior to the bladder
• The uterus is normally flexed anteriorly where it joints the vagina, causing the uterus to be inclined forward, also known as anteverted
• The peritoneal space between the uterus and the rectum is called the rectouterine pouch
• The peritoneal space between the bladder and the uterus is called the vesicouterine pouch

Question 12

Describe the anatomical relationships of the cervix.

Answer 12

• The cervix of the uterus is its narrow neck or outlet which projects into the vagina inferiorly
• The vagina lays between the bladder and uterus and extends from the cervix to the exterior of the body

Question 13

Describe the anatomical relationships of the vagina.

Answer 13

The upper end of the vagina loosely surrounds the cervix of the uterus producing two vaginal recesses called the fornix.

Question 14

Describe the blood supply and drainage of the uterine tubes.

Answer 14

The uterine tubes are supplied by branches of the ovarian artery and vein.

Question 15

Describe the blood supply and drainage of the uterus.

Answer 15

• The uterus is supplied with branches of the uterine and ovarian arteries and veins
• The uterine arteries are branches of the internal iliac arteries
• The ovarian arteries branch directly off of the aorta below the renal arteries
• There is an extensive interconnection among the arteries of the uterus
• The uterine artery gives rise to arcuate arteries within the myometrium and these arteries send radial arteries into the endometrium where they give off straight arteries to the stratum basalis and spiral arteries to the stratum functionalis of the endometrium
• Corresponding veins of the same names drain blood from the uterus and follow the arterial vessels

Question 16

Describe the blood supply and drainage of the cervix and vagina.

Answer 16

The primary blood supply to the vagina is the vaginal branches of the internal iliac (or uterine) arteries and veins.

Question 17

Why does the ovarian cortex appear granular?

Answer 17

This is due to the presence of ovarian follicles.

Question 18

What are the cuboidal cells on the free surface of the ovary called?

Answer 18

These are called germinal epithelium.

Question 19

A primary oocyte is surrounded by what kind of cells?

Answer 19

Simple squamous follicular cells.

Question 20

What happens when a primary oocyte divides?

Answer 20

When a primary oocyte divides, it produces both a secondary oocyte and a polar body.

Question 21

Which hormone stimulates the development of primary follicles from primordial follicles?

Answer 21

Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates this development.

Question 22

What is the process whereby a secondary oocyte is released from the ovary?

Answer 22

This process is called ovulation.

Question 23

What is the inner lining of the vagina called?

Answer 23

The inner lining of the vagina is called the mucosa, which contains transverse ridges called rugae.

Question 24

What is the major tissue that makes up the myometrium?

Answer 24

The myometrium is largely composed of smooth muscle tissue.

Question 25

What kind of epithelial tissue makes up the hymen?

Answer 25

The hymen is primarily composed of connective tissue and stratified squamous epithelium.

Question 26

How many chromosomes are found in primary oocytes?

Answer 26

Primary oocytes contain 46 chromosomes.

Question 27

How many chromosomes are found in secondary oocytes?

Answer 27

Secondary oocytes contain 23 chromosomes.

Question 28

Describe the histological features of a tertiary follicle.

Answer 28

A tertiary follicle will have an antrum, follicular cells, a zona pellucida, a corona radiata, and a primary oocyte.

Question 29

When does a primary oocyte become a secondary oocyte?

Answer 29

Until the preovulatory stage, the follicle contains an oocyte arrested in prophase of meiosis one (46 chromosomes). During the late portion of the preovulatory stage, the oocyte continues meiosis and becomes a secondary oocyte that is arrested in metaphase II (23 chromosomes).

Question 30

What is the function of a corpus luteum?

Answer 30

The corpus luteum forms from the empty follicle after ovulation. The cells of the corpus luteum synthesize steroid hormones, mainly progesterone. This hormone is essential for the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy should fertilization occur. Large luteal cells originate from granulosa cells and small luteal cells originate from thecal cells.

Question 31

Describe the epithelial lining of the uterine tubes.

Answer 31

The uterine tubes are lines by both ciliated simple columnar cells and non-ciliated columnar cells that function as secretory cells.

Question 32

Describe the epithelial lining of the uterus.

Answer 32

The uterus is lined by both ciliated simple columnar cells and non-ciliated columnar cells that function as secretory cells.

Question 33

Describe the epithelial lining of the cervix.

Answer 33

The cervix is lined by mucus-secreting simple columnar cells.

Question 34

Describe the epithelial lining of the vagina.

Answer 34

The vagina is lined by stratified squamous epithelium.

Question 35

What is the fate of a mature follicle?

Answer 35

A mature follicle is destined for ovulation.

Question 36

Describe the function of the cilia in the lining of the uterine tubes.

Answer 36

The cilia in the uterine tubes transport material. The cilia sweep the ovum downwards and the sperm upwards.

Question 37

Describe the changes that occur in the uterine lining during a reproductive cycle.

Answer 37

The reproductive cycle consists of three phases which directly affect the lining of the uterus. 1. Menses 2. Proliferation phase 3. Secretory phase