Review of Reproductive Physiology and Anatomy Flashcards
(119 cards)
1
Q
What is oogenesis
A
The total number of oocytes is present and birth and decreases during life
2
Q
When is maturation of oocytes stimulated
A
At puberty
3
Q
When is oogenesis arrested
A
In diplotene phase of meiotic prophase
4
Q
What is the hilum
A
Where blood vessels enter/ exit
5
Q
What is the medulla
A
Vascularised loose connective tissue
6
Q
What is the cortex composed of
A
Ovarian follicles and dense irregular connective tissue
7
Q
What are germ cells
A
Ovarian follicles
8
Q
What is the stroma
A
Dense irregular connective tissue
9
Q
Where do ovarian follicles start to develop
A
In the stroma
10
Q
What is the dense irregular connective tissue in the cortex made up of
A
Collagen
11
Q
What is the tunica albugenia
A
A layer of connective tissue underlying the germinal epithelium, it is a white fibrous outer layer
12
Q
Where is the germinal epithelium
A
On the outside
13
Q
What is the germinal epithelium
A
Modified visceral peritoneum
14
Q
What does collagen provide
A
Structural support
15
Q
What are the 3 different types of ovarian cancer
A
Epithelial, germ cell and stromal
16
Q
What is the most common ovarian cancer
A
Epithelial
17
Q
What is the uterine tube
A
A smooth muscle tube
18
Q
How does the uterine tube contract
A
Via peristalsis
19
Q
What is the site of fertilisation
A
The uterine tube
20
Q
Where are the fimbriae located
A
At the end of the infundibulum
21
Q
What are fimbriae and what is their function
A
They are finger like structures which pick up the oocyte
22
Q
Describe the ampulla
A
It is wide, convoluted and has a thin wall
23
Q
Where precisely does fertilization ususally take place
A
In the ampulla
24
Q
Descrive the isthmus
A
It is narrow, straight and has a thick wall
25
How does the isthmus contract
Via peristalsis
26
What is the function of the isthmus
It contracts via peristalsis projecting the spermatozoa towards the oocyte and the oocyte/ zygote towards the uterus
27
What is the last part of the uterine tube
The intramural
28
Describe the epithelium of the uterine tube
Highly convoluted with many mucosal folds to increase the surface area of epithelium
29
Why does the uterine tube need epithelium need to have a large surface area
To increase the surface area in contact with the oocyte/zygote and to control the movement of the oocyte/zygote
30
Compare the wall of the ampulla to the wall of ths isthmus
The ampulla has a thinner wall compared to the thick wall of the isthmus
31
What kind of epithelium do the uterine tubes have
Simple cuboidal epithelium
32
What 2 types of cells make up the epithelium of the uterine tubes
Secretory (peg) and ciliated
33
Describe the function of the secretory cells
Watery secretion for gamete nourishment
34
Describe the ciliated cells
Alter in height during menstruation
35
What effect do microorganisms such as chlamydia trachomatis have on the cilia and structure of the epithelium
The cilia are unable to move oocytes down the uterine tube and therefore result in an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy/ sterility
36
What is the uterus comprised of
The body, fundus and cervix (neck)
37
Where is para/perimetrium located
At the top of the uterus
38
What is para/perimetrium
Visceral peritoneum
39
Where is myometrium located
In the body of the uterus
40
What is myometrium
A network of interwoven smooth muscle and connection tissue
41
Describe the key features of the myometrium
The myometrium is able to respond to hormones which results in hypertrophy/ hyperplasia (increase in size and no. of cells to accommodate the increase in the size of the foetus and project the foeuts during childbirth) during childbirth
42
In the lead up/ during childbirth what hormones control the myometrium
Prevented (inhibited) by relaxin and stimulated by oxytocin
43
What and where is the endometrium
It is the outer most layer in the body of the uterus
44
Describe the key features of the endometrium
It is shed and rebuilt during the menstrual cycle and is the location where the zygote imbeds itself and the placenta develops from
45
Where are submucosal uterine fibroids located
Between the endometrium and myometrium
46
Where are intramural uterine fibroids located
Within the myometrium
47
Where are subserosal uterine fibroids located
Between the myometrium and parametrium
48
Where are pudunculated uterine fibroids located
Often in the fundus or within the cavity, sometimes in the vagina
49
What can all uterine fibroids cause issues with if too big
Urination and defecation
50
What are the two types of stratum in the epithelium of the uterus
Stratum basalis and stratum functionalis
51
Describe stratum basalis
It remains at all times
52
Describe stratum functionalis
It is shed during menstruation
53
Which stratum is shed during menstruation
Stratum functionalis
54
What is located in the stratum basalis
The endometrial glands, vascular connective tissue and spiral arteries
55
What is a key feature of the stratum basalis
It is highly vascular
56
What do the endometrial glands produce
Glycogen
57
What is the small hole in the center of the cervix called
External os
58
What is the function of the external os
It is how the cervical cavity communicated with the vagina
59
What are the two types of endometrium the cerix contains
Endocervix and ectocervix
60
Describe the endocervix
It lines the inside of the cervix and is composed of simple columnar cells and crypts which are mucus secreting cells
61
What does oestrogen do to the mucus in the cervix
Decreases the viscosity of the mucus
62
Describe the ectocervix
It is stratified squamous non-keratinised and is continuous with the vagina
63
Why does the vagina require stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium
To protect it from abrasion that occurs during sexual intercourse
64
What is the junction between the two types of epithlial cells in the cervix called
The squamocolumnar junction
65
Describe the squamocolumnar junction
It is a transformational zone as dysplasia (cellular change) occurs here. It can move to outside the cervix during different stages of development
66
Describe primordial follicles
Enclosed by a single layer of flattened pre-granulosa cells and basal lamina
67
When is development of the primordial follicles stimulated
At puberty and then every fertile month
68
What do the primordial follicles develop into
Primary follicles
69
Describe a unilayered primary follicle
Oocyte enlarges and granulosa cells increase in size and become cuboidal
70
What does the oocyte begin to produce
Zona pellucida
71
What are the functions of zona pelludica
Produces glycoproteins and proteoglycans. It is important in binding of the spermatozoa
72
Describe a multilayerd primary follicle
Granulosa cells increase in number and in thickness-stratified. The zona pellucida is assembled (fully developed) and stromal cells begin to form the theca
73
How is the theca formed
Stromal cells begin to form concentric layers around the follicle
74
How do zona pelludica communicate with eachother
Via gap junctions
75
What does GnRH stand for
Gonadotrophin releasing hormone
76
Where is GnRH produced
The hypothalamus
77
How does GnRH reach the pituitary gland
Travels via the portal vein
78
What does GnRH stimulate
Rlease of LH and FSH in the pituitary gland
79
What does FSH stimulate
Follicle development
80
Describe a secondary follicle
Spaces develop containing follicular fluid which coalesce to form a cavity, there are 2 layers of ovarian stroma, theca cells, granulosa cells
81
What are the two layers of the ovarian stroma
Theca interna and theca externa
82
Describe the theca interna
Large steroid hormone producing cell (used in the production of oestrogen)
83
Describe the theca externa
Small compact cells continuous with the stroma
84
What do thecal cells produce and what then happens to this product
Produce steroids which are converted via granulosa cells into oestrogen
85
What do granulosa cells express
FSH and oestrogen receptors
86
What does oestrogen stimulate
Further granulosa development and therefore its own production (+ve feedback on itself)
87
What stimulates the production of oestrogen
FSH, oestrogen is released by granulsa cells and stimulated its own production via +ve feedback
88
What does moderate levels of oestrogen in the blood do
Inhibits FSH secretion and GnRH), yet the tonic secretion of LH is unaffected
89
What happens to the uterus during the proliferative phase
Oestrogen produced by the developing follicles increases the thickness of the endometrium, proliferation of the stratum basalis to form the stratum functionalis, straight endometrial glands elongate and spiral arteries elongate in the highly vascular stroma
90
Which days encompass the proliferative phase
Day 6-14
91
Describe the Graafian (tertiary) follicle
Contains an antrum which is a large, fluid filled cavity and an oocyte which a thick zona pellucida and the oocyte is surrounded by crona radiata
92
What is the function of the corona radiata
Provides nutrients
93
What is another name for the tertiary follicle
Graafian follicle
94
At which stage is the follicle ready for ovulation
Once it has become a Graafian (tertiary) follicle
95
What do high oestrogen levels cause
A surge in LH
96
What stimulates ovulation
A surge in LH
97
What does a surge in LH stimulate
Ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum
98
On which day does ovulation usually occur
Day 14
99
What causes a stigma
The mature follicle protruding onto the surface of the ovary
100
What does LH stimulate specifically in the follicle
Proteolytic activity in the theca externa and tunica albuginea causing the ovum to be expelled into the entrance of the uterine tube
101
What does LH break down
The surface layer of the uterine tube resulting in the oocyre being expelled from the ovary
102
How does the corpus luteum form
LH stimulates the transformation of follicular cells into the corpus luteum. LH stimulates the transformation of granulosa cells into corpus luteum (lutinisation)-LH receptors
103
Why is the corpus luteum yellow
There is lipid in the cells
104
What are the two endocrine glands in the corpus luteum
Granulosa cells and theca externa cells
105
What do granulosa cells in the corpus luteum secrete
Progesterone
106
What do theca externa cells in the corpus luteum secrete
Oestrogen
107
What stimulates progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum
LH
108
When does the secretory/ progesteronal phase occur
Day 14-25
109
What happens during the secretory/ progesteronal phase
The stroma is at it's most vascular, glands become tortuous (saw toothed)
110
What is the role of progesterone secreted from the corpus luteum
It thickens the endometrium for
111
What features occur in the stroma when it is at its most vascular
Coiled (spiral) arteries which pass all the way throughout the length of the endometrium
112
When do gland become saw toothed
In the secretory phase
113
What do glands produce in the secretory phase and why
Produce thick glycogen-rich product which is released for nourishment of the developing blastocyte
114
What do high levels of progesterone do
Inhibit LH and FSH release
115
When does the corpus albicans form
Day 25
116
How does the corpus albicans form
Loss of LH leads to the involution (leutrolysis) of the corpus luteum and decreased progesterone secretion. Cells are replaced by collagen. A fibrous ovoid structure remains which is a corpus albicans ‘white body’
117
Why is the corpus albicans white
Due to the collagen
118
What happens during menstruation
Absence of progesterone secretion from corpus luteum results in contraction of spiral arteries in ischaemia, degeneration of the stratum funcionalis, shed as menses
119
Why does contraction of the spiral arteries in ischaemia occur
Not enough blood supply to functionalis layer therefore it it shed
