LEC37: Microstructure of the Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards Preview

Structures: Part Deux > LEC37: Microstructure of the Female Reproductive Tract > Flashcards

Flashcards in LEC37: Microstructure of the Female Reproductive Tract Deck (129)
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1
Q

functions of female reproductive system

A

1) produce ova thru oogenesis
2) facilitate, transport germ cells & spermatozoa to increase chances of fertilization
3) maintain implanted embryos through gestation
4) nurture infants postnatally thru lactation

2
Q

what controls female reproductive system functions

A

hormal and nervous system mechanisms

3
Q

components of female reproductive system

A

1) ovaries
2) uterine tubes (oviducts)
3) uterus (myometrium, endometrium, cervix)
4) vagina
5) external genitalia
6) mammary glands
7) placenta

4
Q

what attaches ovary-uterus

A

ovarian ligament, mesovarium attaches ovary to broad ligaments of uterus

5
Q

where does fertilization occur

A

by ampulla-isthmus border of fallopian tube

6
Q

another name for body of uterus

A

corpus

7
Q

what collects released oocyte

A

fimbriae of uterine tube

8
Q

what is at the lower end of the birth canal

A

vagina

9
Q

what is ovary covered with

A

simple cuboidal epithelium that’s continuous w/ mesothelial lining of peritoneal cavity

10
Q

where are germ cells released

A

directly into peritoneal cavity

11
Q

what does oviduct connect to

A

attached to broad ligaments of uterus

12
Q

how does oocyte > uterus

A

peristaltic contractions of muscle coat surrounding oviducts

13
Q

where is uterus

A

medially in pelvic cavity

14
Q

uterus-vagina connection is what

A

uterine ostium

15
Q

which part of vagina opens into uterus

A

upper end of vagina

16
Q

what is vagina latin for

A

sheath

17
Q

vagina walls made of

A

muscle

18
Q

what is lower end of birth canal

A

vagina

19
Q

cell type in folds of vagina

A

stratified squamous epithelium

20
Q

when does oogenesis begin

A

during prenatal life

21
Q

what happens during fetal life re: oogonia?

A

oogonia > 1o oocyte, meiosis I begins, suspends in prophase

22
Q

when do 1o oocytes complete meiosis I and what are products

A

1o oocyte suspended until ovulation as a 2o oocyte after puberty; occurs on an individual basis; produces 2o oocyte and 1st polar body

23
Q

how long might a 1o oocyte remain suspended in prophase

A

45-50 years

a reason for trisomy 21 with increased maternal age

24
Q

when does 2o oocyte complete 2nd meiotic division

A

after fertilization; 2o oocyte splits into ovum & 2nd polar body

25
Q

ovarian ligament

A

connects ovary-lateral surface of uterus

26
Q

cortex of ovary

A

area with follicles, corpus luteum, and stroma

27
Q

medulla of ovary contains

A

blood vessels

28
Q

how many 1o oocytes at birth?

A

2 million

29
Q

how many 1o oocytes at puberty?

A

400,000

30
Q

what stimulates 2o follicle production

A

cyclic FSH secretion by anterior pituitary

31
Q

what supports full reproductive function?

A

estrogen produced from developing follicles

32
Q

how many primoridial follicles stimulated to develop each month?

A

20-50

33
Q

what was thought to give rise to germ cells & where do they actually arise from?

A

germinal epithelium, now know it’s yolk sac

34
Q

what is tunica albuginea

A

connective tissue covering of the ovaries

parallel to germinal epithelium lining the ovary

35
Q

follicular development stages

A

1) primordial follicle
2) early primary follicle
3) late primary follicle
4) secondary follicle
5) mature graafian follicle

36
Q

primordial follicle characteristics

A

oocyte is nucleated; nucleolus within nucleus; flattened follicular cells; stroma cells irregular, scattered around follicle

37
Q

what effect do follicular cells have on 1o oocyte?

A

arrest it in prophase of meiosis I

38
Q

when do granulosa cells appear/what do they replace

A

early primary follicle; are cuboidal shaped; replace flattened follicular cells

39
Q

when does zona pellucida form for first time

A

late primary follicle

40
Q

how are cells in late primary follicle

A

organized; matters because stroma becomes the theca

41
Q

when does antrum of follicle appear during oogenesis

A

secondary follicle, when granulosa cells loosen and form pockets of space

42
Q

when does theca become organized

A

secondary follicle

43
Q

what is diff between theca interna and externa

A

theca interna: cellular rich, produces steroids, clear cytoplasm
theca externa: fibrous rich arrangement

44
Q

characteristics of oocyte in mature graafian follicle

A

oocyte located to one side - excentrically located; surrounded with granulosa cells, corona radiata, antrum enlarged

45
Q

when during fetal development does 1o follicle develop by

A

7th month

this encapsulation arrests the 1st meiotic division; no further development until sexual maturity

46
Q

primary follicle cells are

A

cuboidal granulosa cells

47
Q

proteins of the zona pellucida

A

glycoprotein & acid proteoglycans ZP1, ZP2, ZP3

48
Q

what contributes to zona pellucida formation

A

both the granulosa cells & oocyte

49
Q

what is liquid within the antrum called, what does it contain

A

liquor folliculi, FSH and estrogen

50
Q

what are antrum nutrients

A

steroids, pituitary hormones, local growth factors

51
Q

cumulus oophorus

A

cluster of cells surrounding oocyte in ovarian follicle and after ovulation; innermost layer of these cells is corona radiata

52
Q

hormonal action on graafian follicle

A

LH increase interacts w/ receptors on granulosa and theca cells

53
Q

what happens to granulsoa cells in graafian follicle

A

depolymerization of mucopolysaccharides in antrum fluid and increase in colloid osmotic pressure > granulosa cells less adhesive, cumulus loosens

54
Q

what is the stigma

A

specific site on ovary surface where follicular wall breaks down; get decreased blood flow, thinning, depolymerization of CT

55
Q

where is plasminogen activator from, what is its significance?

A

LH stimulates granulosa cells of graafian follicle to produce plasminogen activator; it cleaves plasminogen to plasmin, acts on follicle wall, causing rupture > 2o oocyte extruded with corona radiata of granulosa cells

56
Q

what is extruded/where to at ovulation

A

2o oocyte, zona pellucida, corona radiata, into peritoneal cavity

57
Q

how is estrogen produced

A

theca interna cells produce estrogen precursor; granulosa cells of theca externa convert it to estrogen

58
Q

hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis - how it works

A

hypothal. produces GnRH > acts on pituitary, produces FSH > acts on developing follicles > when enough estrogen from follicles, positive feedback to produce LH & negative feedback to hypothalamus > ovulation occurs as production of LH increases

59
Q

what hormones act on the corpus luteum of pregnancy

A

estrogen and progesterone

60
Q

what does LH due after ovulation

A

causes granulosa cells to become granulosa lutein cells and theca interna cells to become theca lutein cells aka corpus luteum

61
Q

what is in early corpus luteum

A

blood clot from ruptured follicle that released the 2o oocyte

62
Q

what is corpus albicans

A

an involuted corpus luteum because not fertilized

63
Q

what does corpus luteum of pregnancy secrete, why

A

progesterone and estrogen to prepare endometrial lining for implantation

64
Q

if no fertilization, what happens to corpus luteum

A

corpus luteum involutes, becomes large corpus albicans, which disappears after 14 days

65
Q

what does placenta do re: corpus luteum

A

eventually takes over estrogen and progesterone production

66
Q

what are 2 cell types of corpus luteum, what do they produce

A

granulosa lutein cells: produce progesterone

theca lutein cells: produce estrogen precursor

67
Q

what is corpus albicans made of

A

inactive fibrous tissue mass; any remaining cells eaten by macrophages

68
Q

how many follicles reach maturity

A

300-400 over 30 yrs reproductive life

69
Q

what is atretic follicle

A

dying follicles, wehreby zona pellucide folds up on itself

occurs anytime- birth, puberty, pregnancy

70
Q

estrogens functions

A

1) promotive development/maintenance of female reproductive structures, feminine 2o sex characteristics, breasts
2) increase protein anabolism
3) lower blood cholesterol
4) moderate levels inhibit release of GnRH, FSH, LH

71
Q

progesterone functions

A

1) works with estrogens to prepare endometrium for implantation
2) prepares breasts to secrete milk
3) inhibits release of GnRH, LH

72
Q

relaxin functions

A

1) inhibits contractions of uterine smooth muscle

2) during labor, relaxes pubic symphysis, dilates uterine cervix

73
Q

inhibit functions

A

inhibits release of FSH and (lesser but also) LH

74
Q

what initially secretes estrogens

A

growing ovarian follicles

75
Q

what ultimately secretes estrogen, also progesterone, inhibin

A

developed follicle

76
Q

what secretes progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, inhibin once developed oocyte

A

corpus luteum

77
Q

when blastocyst implants, what reaches up into endometrium

A

cytotrophoblasts > synciotrophoblasts

78
Q

main functions of oviduct

A

1) transport germ cells
2) capacitation of sperm, fertilization of 2o oocyte
3) transport of zygote

79
Q

how long does it take sperm to get to distal end of oviduct

A

5 minutes after ejaculation

80
Q

how many sperm enter the vagina vs how many reach oviduct

A

250 million enter, 50 or less reach oviduct

81
Q

what is faster- sperm or oocyte transport?

A

sperm

82
Q

what is the shape of the uterine lumen

A

tortuous

reason for why might be difficult for sperm to reach oviduct

83
Q

structure of ampulla

A

muscle outside, mucousal folds project into lumen = mucus membrane w/ epithelium, lamina propria

84
Q

what type of cells on surface of ampulla

A

columnar

85
Q

cell type in oviduct

A

1) simple columnar ciliated epithelium - aids sperm transport up through isthmus
2) nonciliated secretory cells

86
Q

how long is mature uterus

A

7 cm

87
Q

what is structure of canal of the certix?

A

endocervix- area between internal os, external os

ectocervix- area outside external os, communicates w/ vagina

88
Q

what is sloughed off during menstruation

A

material from endometrial glands in uterus

89
Q

layers of uterus

A

endometrium (glandular), myometrium (muscle)

90
Q

cell type- surface epithelium of endometrium?

A

pseudostratified ciliated columnar, some cells w/ microvilli

91
Q

what is endometrium composed of

A

glandular mucousal part of uterus

stratum functionalis, which has stratum compactum and stratum spongiosum, + stratum basalis

92
Q

muscle type/number of layers in myometrium

A

3 layers of smooth muscle

93
Q

stratum vasculare

A

middle layer of myometrium, has large blood vessels

94
Q

functional layer of endometrium

A

stratum functionalis

shed during menstruation every month

95
Q

basalar layer of endometrium

A

stratum basalis

retained, regenerates functional layer every month

96
Q

what controls uterine cycle

A

estrogen, progesterone

97
Q

phases of uterine cycle

A

1) menstrual phase: 4-5 days
2) proliferative phase: 6-14 days
3) secretory phase
4) ischemic phase
5) menstrual phase

98
Q

what happens during proliferative phase

A

endometrium regenerates, 2x-3x thickness, under estrogen control produced by maturing ovarian follicles

99
Q

what happens during secretory phase

A

endometrium thickens, under progesterone and estrogen influence produced by corpus luteum

100
Q

what happens during ischemic phase

A

if no fertilization

caused by decline in corpus luteum and drop in hormones

101
Q

what happens during menstrual phase

A

functional layer undergoes episodes of hypoxia, b/c interruption of blood supply

102
Q

what happens to blood vessels, stroma, glands as endometrium proliferates?

A

blood vessels grow, stroma grows, glands become like little corkscrews for secretion

103
Q

what marks onset of secretory phase

A

ovulation

104
Q

what happens to glands over secretory phase

A

glands visible, glycogen needed for implanted blastocyst nourishment visible, basally located > midsecretion, glycogen moves up gland, apically located > goes to lumen later in phase

105
Q

shape of glands ultimately

A

late secretory phase, glands = little corkscrews (began as straight)

106
Q

blood supply to uterus

A

uterine artery > myometrium

107
Q

shape of arteries in endometrium

A

spiral

108
Q

shape of arteries in stratum basalis

A

straight

109
Q

what happens to arteries during menstrual cycle

A

as endometrium proliferates, spiral arteries grow, kink, buckle
when progesterone/estrogen withdrawn, arteries grow and buckle in constrictions, capillaries at surface also buckle, bleeding occurs b/c spiral arteries STRONGER than stromal cells can accommodate

110
Q

what shape are endometrial glands during proliferative phase

A

straight

estrogen influence

111
Q

what shape are endometrial glands during early secretory phase

A

little corkscrewes

112
Q

shape of endometrial glands late secretory phase

A

corkscrew
days 15-28
increased progesterone

113
Q

structure of endocervix

A

lined w/ simple columnar, mucus-secreting cells

114
Q

how does mucous of endocervix change over cycle

A

around ovulation, mucus thin/watery, under estrogen control for easy sperm migration (estrogen)
after secretion, fluid viscous, helps lubricate vagina (progesterone)

115
Q

where do most cervical cancers arise, why

A

95% at squamo-columnar junction or TRANSFORMATION ZONE of the cervix
as age, more of endocervix exposed to acid pH (=5) of vagina, area healed by squamous metaplasia process, this makes cells more susceptible to papilloma virus > cancer

116
Q

structure of vagina

A

tube, lower end of birth canal
lining: stratified squamous epithelial tissue
no glands, moistened by endocervical mucous
fibroelastic lamina propria
layer of circular smooth muscle
skeletal muscle at vaginal orifice

117
Q

what does vaginal epithelium make

A

glycogen, in response to estrogen

secretion metabolized by bacteria into lactic acid

118
Q

what is different btwn inactive, active mammary glands

A

structure of ducts

119
Q

what happens to alveoli from nonpregnant > pregnant > lactating

A

no lactation: are quiescent, undifferentiated, duct system inactive

pregnant: alveoli grow larger, proliferate at ends of ducts
lactating: fully differentiate, milk secretion abundant

120
Q

what type of cells in mammary glands

A

myoepithelial cells

121
Q

pregnant woman breast tissue contains

A

many secretory lobules, under estrogen, progesterone, lactogenic hormone influence

122
Q

what stimulates milk production

A

suckling sends afferent impulses to hypothalamus; peroventricular neurons cause release of oxytocin, prolactin from axon terminals in pituitary; stimulates milk production and ejection, colostrum, proteins, lactose, vitamins, immunoglobulins

123
Q

what fill with milk in lactating mammary gland

A

alveoli

124
Q

how are proteins of colostrum/milk secreted

A

exocytosis - merocrine secretion

125
Q

how are milk lipids secreted

A

apocrine mechanism - have membrane

126
Q

how is mammary gland during menopause

A

glandular looking surface with no active glands, lots of CT, no regularity, lots of fat

127
Q

aberrant implantation results in

A

ectopic pregnnacy

128
Q

PID caused by

A

pelvic inflammatory disease

chlamydia, gonorrhea

129
Q

what is endometriosis

A

ectopic occurence of endometrial tissue b/c of retrograde flow of blood, endometrial tissue - bounds bowels of GI system together