Reproductive System (Female Histo)

Question 1

Does the ovary develop in the posterior/anterior abdominal wall?

Explain its descent.

Answer 1

ovary develops in the POSTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL

• Ovary undergoes internal descent to reach the lateral wall of the pelvis inferior to the pelvic inlet
• Ovary does not descend past the pelvis due to the attachment of the gubernaculum to uterus

Question 2

State the 2 ligaments that originate from the gubernaculum

Answer 2

1. round ligament of uterus
2. ovarian ligament

Question 3

What is the mesentery? What organ does it support?

Answer 3

Mesentery = posterior part of the broad ligament

Mesentery supports the ovary.

Question 4

Name the suspensory ligament of the ovaries.

State…
- Vessels it contains
- Is it a part of the gubernaculum?

Answer 4

suspensory ligament of the ovaries = infundibulopelvic ligament
- Contains ovarian artery + ovarian vein + lymphatics + nerves
- It is not part of the gubernaculum

Question 5

State the blood supply and drainage of the OVARIES

Answer 5

OVARIES
- Blood supply = ovarian A <– aorta
- Blood drainage (right ovary) = ovarian V –> ivc
- Blood drainage (left ovary) = ovarian V –> left renal vein –> ivc

Question 6

State the lymph nodes that should be checked for metastases in case of OVARIAN MALIGNANCIES

Answer 6

para-aortic nodes

Question 7

State the layers of the ovary (exterior to inferior)

Answer 7

exterior - inferior:
germinal epithelium
tunica albuginea
cortex
stroma medulla
hilum

Question 8

TUNICA ALBUGINEA OF OVARY
- Condensed ____ composed of short ____ tissue fibres with ____ cells between

Answer 8

**TUNICA ALBUGINEA OF OVARY **
- Condensed STROMA composed of short CONNECTIVE tissue fibres with FUSIFORM cells between

Question 9

State the content of the cortex

Answer 9

cortex - ovarian follicles in different stages of development

Question 10

STROMA OF OVARY
- Both in outer ____ and inner ____ regions
- Provides ____ support and a microenvironment for the develoment of ____ follicles
- Can give rise to granulosa cell tumours/thecomas

Answer 10

STROMA OF OVARY
- Both in outer CORTEX and inner MEDULLA regions
- Provides STRUCTURAL support and a microenvironment for the develoment of OVARIAN follicles
- Can give rise to granulosa cell tumours/thecomas

Question 11

State the function of the HILUM OF OVARY

Answer 11

hilum of ovary- entry and exit of blood vessels

Question 12

State the type of cells in the GERMINAL EPITHELIUM OF OVARIES

Answer 12

germinal epithelium - simple squamous mesothelial layer
- visceral peritoneum that covers ovaries

Question 13

EMBRYOLOGY OF OVA
- ____ germ cells are precursors for gametes –> originates in ____ ____ wall near allantois –> migratres through dorsal ____ and reaches ____ ridge –> mitotic division

Answer 13

EMBRYOLOGY OF OVA
- PRIMORDIAL germ cells are precursors for gametes –> originates in YOLK SAC wall near allantois –> migratres through dorsal MESENTERY and reaches GENITAL ridge –> mitotic division

Question 14

State the differences between OVARIAN CYCLE and UTERINE CYCLE

Answer 14

Question 15

Explain the process of oogenesis before puberty

Answer 15

BEFORE PUBERTY
- Primordial germ cells (oogonium) undergo mitosis to form primary oocyte (400k present at birth) which is arrested at prophase I until after puberty
- Recap: PGC produced in yolk sac –> migrate to dorsal mesentery –> genital ridge

Question 16

Explain the process of oogenesis after puberty

Answer 16

AFTER PUBERTY
(1) Continuation of meisosis after puberty and primary occyte develops into secondary oocyte
- Secondary oocyte arrested in metaphase II until fertilisation
- Secondary oocyte undergoes apoptosis if unfertilised
- Formation of secondary oocyte includes formation of a polar body which is biologically inactive

(2) Secondary oocyte undergoes ovulation and fertilisation to form zygote which leads to resumptio of meisosis II
- Another polar body is produced

Question 17

Explain oogenesis (before + after puberty)

Answer 17

1. (before puberty) PGC (oogonium) undergoes mitosis to form primary oocyte (400k at birth) which is arrested in prophase I until puberty
2. (after puberty) primary oocyte undergoes meisosis to develop into secondary oocyte (+ 1 polar body) which is arrested in metaphase II after fertilisation and undergoes apoptosis if unfertilised
3. (after puberty) secondary oocyte undergoes ovulation and fertilisation to form zygote (+1 polar body) leading to resumption of meiosis II

Question 18

State the different stages of follicular growth starting from primordial germ celi

Answer 18

primordial germ cell
primary follicle
secondary follicle
graafian follicle
corpus luteum
corpus albicans

Question 19

PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE - ____ oocyte with surrounding single layer of ____ cells

PRIMARY FOLLICLE - ____ oocyte surrounding multiple layers of ____ cells, zona ____ and ____ cells

SECONDARY FOLLICLE - follicular ____ eccentrically pushes ____ surrounding ____ cells then ____ cells

Answer 19

PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE - PRIMARY oocyte with surrounding single layer of FLATTENED cells

PRIMARY FOLLICLE - PRIMARY oocyte surrounding multiple layers of FOLLICULAR cells, zona PELLUCIDA and THECA cells

SECONDARY FOLLICLE - follicular ANTRUM eccentrically pushes OOCYTE surrounding GRANULOSA cells then THECA cells

Question 20

GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE - follicular ____ becomes larger, oocyte still ecentrically located, ____ ____ between the two, crowded granulosa cells (____ ____), theca cells surrounding

CORPUS LUTEUM - oocyte, zona pellucida, corona radiata, cumulus oophorus, antrum, granulosa cells, theca cells

CORPUS ALBICANS - ____ scar tissue

Answer 20

GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE - follicular ANTRUM becomes larger, oocyte still ecentrically located, CORONA RADIATA between the two, crowded granulosa cells (CUMULUS OOPHORUS), theca cells surrounding

CORPUS LUTEUM - oocyte, zona pellucida, corona radiata, cumulus oophorus, antrum, granulosa cells, theca cells

CORPUS ALBICANS - FIBROUS scar tissue

Question 21

Lavel the parts of the PRIMARY FOLLICLE

Answer 21

Question 22

Label the SECONDARY FOLLICLE

Answer 22

Question 24

Label the GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE

Answer 24

Question 25

State the functions of **CORONA RADIATA** and **ZONA PELLUCIDA** in the **GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE**

Answer 25

**corona radiata** - protects the ovum and provides vital proteins to the cell **zona pellucida** - prevents entry of extra sperm cells into the ovum --> prevents polyspermy

Question 26

**CORPUS LUTEUM** - ____ graafian follicle reorganises to form corpus luteum - ____ is the main hormone produced (state function of hormone) - After 3-4 months, the ____ takes over the function of the corpus luteum and continues to secrete ____ to continue pregnancy - hCG (____ ____ ____) is produced by ____ cells that surround the growing embryo --> forms placenta (state the function of hormone)

Answer 26

**CORPUS LUTEUM** - **RUPTURED** graafian follicle reorganises to form corpus luteum - **PROGESTERONE** is the main hormone produced (function = **Promtoes development of spiral arteries --> enhances blood supply to endometrium to provide necessary oxygen and nutrients to support pregnancy**) - After 3-4 months, the **PLACENTA** takes over the function of the corpus luteum and continues to secrete **PROGETERONE** to continue pregnancy - hCG (**HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN**) is produced by **SYNCTIOTROPHOBLAST** cells that surround the growing embryo --> forms placenta (function = **Prevents degeneration of corpus luteum during early months of pregnancy**)

Question 27

**CORPUS ALBICANS** - Corpus ____ transforms into white ____ tissue seen on surface of ovary - Placenta fully developed and takes over production of progesterone from corpus luteum - Seen as small, ____ hyperechogenic intra-ovrian lesion - Can be misinterpreted as ovarian ____, calcified ovarian ____ or ____

Answer 27

**CORPUS ALBICANS** - Corpus **LUTEUM** transforms into white **SCAR** tissue seen on surface of ovary - Placenta fully developed and takes over production of progesterone from corpus luteum - Seen as small, **LOBULATED** hyperechogenic intra-ovrian lesion - Can be misinterpreted as ovarian **CYST**, calcified ovarian **TUMOUR** or **ENDOMETRIOMA**

Question 28

State the type of cells that line the FALLOPIAN TUBE

Answer 28

fallopian tube - simple columnar epithelium

Question 29

State the 2 types of cells found in the FALLOPIAN TUBE. State their functions.

Answer 29

1. **ciliated cells** - aids in movement of ovum towards uterus 2. **secretory (peg) cells** - non-ciliated cells that secrete glycoprotein which is a nutrien tfor the ovum

Question 29

Recap: State the 4 partsof the fallopian tube

Answer 29

fimbriae infundibulum ampulla isthmus

Question 30

State the 3 layers of the UTERUS

Answer 30

1. perimetrium (outer most layer) 2. myometrium (middle layer) 3. endometrium (inner most layer)

Question 31

**PERIMETRIUM OF THE UTERUS** - ____ layer - ____ tissue layer which is ____ and ____ (binds to peritoneum) in differen parts

Answer 31

**PERIMETRIUM OF THE UTERUS** - **OUTERMOST** layer - **CONNECTIVE** tissue layer which is **ADVENTITIAL** and **SEROSAL** (binds to peritoneum) in differen parts

Question 32

**MYOMETRIUM** - ____ layer - Highly ____, thick, smooth ____ layer organised into poorly-defined layers with bundles of fibres interwoven in various directions - ____ promotes myometrial growth through ____ and ____ --> increasing contractility of muscles - ____ relaxes ____ muscles - Function = - During delivery of fetus, ____ reinforces muscular contractions of the myometrium to expel the fetus from the uterus - Contractions constrict the blood supply to placenta --> precipitates ____ from uterine wall

Answer 32

**MYOMETRIUM** - **MIDDLE** layer - Highly **VASCULARISED**, thick, smooth **MUSCULAR** layer organised into poorly-defined layers with bundles of fibres interwoven in various directions - **ESTROGEN** promotes myometrial growth through **HYPERPLASIA** and **HYPERTROPHY** --> increasing contractility of muscles - **PROGESTERONE** relaxes **SMOOTH** muscles - Function = **Induces uterine contractions** - During delivery of fetus, **OXYTOCIN** reinforces muscular contractions of the myometrium to expel the fetus from the uterus - Contractions constrict the blood supply to placenta --> precipitates **DETACHMENT** from uterine wall

Question 33

**ENDOMETRIUM** - ____ layer - Lined by ____ epithelium and contains numerous ____ glands - No discrete borders between the two layers of endometrium but layers differentiated as ____ tissue is more ____ in basal layer - 2 layers = - Functional layer (stratum ____) = lies ____ myometrium (State its function) - Basal layer (stratum ____) = lies ____ myometrium (State its functions)

Answer 33

**ENDOMETRIUM** - **INNERMOST** layer - Lined by **SIMPLE COLUMNAR** epithelium and contains numerous **TUBULAR** glands - No discrete borders between the two layers of endometrium but layers differentiated as **STROMAL** tissue is more **CELLULAR** in basal layer - 2 layers = **Stratum functionale** + **Stratum basale** - Functional layer (stratum **FUNCTIONALE**) = lies **FURTHER FROM** myometrium (Function = **Proliferates, secretes, sheds during menstrual cycle**) - Basal layer (stratum **BASALE**) = lies **CLOSER TO** myometrium (Function = **Regenerates endometrium after superficial 2/3 of endometrium is shed**)

Question 34

State the different types of cells that make up the **ENDOCERVIX** and **ECTOCERVIX**

Answer 34

**endocervix** - *simple columnar epithelium on thick lamina propria* - more proximal and closer to uterus **ectocervix** - *NKSSE (non-keratinised simple squamous epithelium)* - projects into vagina

Question 35

State the normal pH of the vagina

Answer 35

pH 3.8-4.2

Question 36

State the layers of the vagina (exterior - inferior)

Answer 36

mucous layer lamina propria muscular layer adventitia

Question 37

**LAYERS OF THE VAGINA** 1. Mucous layer - ____ epithelium continuing from ectocervix 2. Lamina propria - ____ and ____ fibres with small veins at deeper parts 3. Muscular layer - ill-defined muscular layers 4. Adventitia - ____ tissue layer containing many ____ fibres

Answer 37

**LAYERS OF THE VAGINA** 1. Mucous layer - **NKSSE** epithelium continuing from ectocervix 2. Lamina propria - **ELASTIC** and **COLLAGEN** fibres with small veins at deeper parts 3. Muscular layer - ill-defined muscular layers 4. Adventitia - **CONNECTIVE** tissue layer containing many **ELASTIC** fibres

Question 38

State the differences between **LABIA MAJORA** and **LABIA MINORA**

Answer 38

**LABIA MAJORA - LABIA MINORA** nksse - keratinised stratified sqaumous epithelium contains sebaceous and sweat glands - sweat glands only absent hair follicles - present hair follicles

Question 39

State the 6 homologous structures of the **FEMALE AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM**

Answer 39

1. ovaries - testes 2. ovum - sperm cell 3. labia majora - scrotum 4. clitoris - glans penis and corpora cavernosa 5. paraurethral glands - prostate 6. bartholin gland - bulbourethral gland