Module 10: Reproductive System Flashcards
Ovaries
produce ova through process of oogenesis and are endocrine in function
Surface is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium
Beneath epi and basement membrane, is tunica albuginea (ease eosinophilic layer)
Has cortex and medulla
Ovarian cortex
2 components: Stroma/stromal cells, numerous ovarian follicles in various stages of maturation
Stromal cells give structural support to developing ova; also form thecal layers of developing follicle and secrete estrogen and progesterone
Each month, one follicle matures (Graafian follicle) and releases an egg
Ovulation is stimulated by
surge of LH from pituitary
Ovarian Medulla
highly vascular
Provides capillary bed which radiates cortex
Uterus 3 parts
Fundus, body and cervix
Fundus and body have same histological structures
2 layers of fundus and body of uterus
Myometrium: 3 layers of muscle
Smooth muscle hypertrophies in pregnancy
Endometrium: lining of uterus; shed every month; simple columnar epi which dips down into simple tubular endometrial glands
Lamina propria is termed “endometrial stroma”
Cervix
lower part of uterus
Connected to vagina by endocervical canal
Stroma is composed of mostly fibrocollagenous tissue and some smooth muscle
Endocervical canal is lined by
simple columnar epithelium which secrete mucin
Indentations/furrows in epi extend into lamina propria (NOT TUBULAR GLANDS)
@ junction, columnar cells change to stratified squamous non-keratinized epi that cover the cervix
Fallopian tube
aka uterine tubes, oviducts 4 segments of tube: -intramural segment which passes through myometrial wall -isthmus (narrow thick walled segment) -longer thin walled ampulla -flared infundibulum with fimbria
Fallopian tube is lined with
tall columnar ciliated cells and secretory cells
- to help movement of ovum
- produce water tubal fluid which provides nutrition and protection to ovum
Breast tissue
each breast contains 15-25 breast lobes consisting of A compound tubulo-acinar gland with ducts
Ducts are lined by simple columnar or cuboidal epi
Lactiferous duct of breast
single large duct that drains each lobe via separate opening on surface of nipple
Testes
produce spermatozoa
Synthesize and secrete androgens
Covered by thick fibrocollagenous capsule called tunica albuginea (divides testes into 200-300 lobes each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules)
duct system of sperm
efferent ducts
epididymis
vas deferens
ejaculatory duct
Seminiferous tubule
site of production of sperm
lined by germinal epithelium with Sertoli cells (support cells)
Leydig cells lie between tubules and secrete testosterone
Sertoli cells
tall columnar cells which lie on basement membrane of seminiferous tubule
Extent to luminal surface
“nurse cells”
provide structural and metabolic support for developing sperm cells
Leydig cells and myoid cells
lie between interstitial loose fibrocollagenous tissue with fibroblasts, collage, blood and lymphatic vessels
Leydig cells Synthesize testosterone
Myoid cells are contractile cells
Vas Deferens
aka ductus deferens
Located in spermatic cord
Passes to the base of the bladder where it is joined by short duct from seminal vesicles
Then forms ejaculatory ducts which pass through prostate and open into prostatic urethra
Lined by pseudo stratified columnar epi with stereo cilia
Muscular wall have 3 distinct layers (long, circular, long)
Prostate
produce fluid in which sperm are transported
Consists of branched tubulo-acinar glands
Secretory epi is either pseudo stratified or tall columnar
Organ is capsulated and has septa
Prostatic urethra is lined by
transitional epi
