PBL 1: Conception Flashcards
What makes up the ovaries histologically?
Medulla (in the centre)
Cortex (on the outside)
Capsule of simple cuboidal epithelium
Describe the medulla of the ovary?
- This is the inner part of the ovary
- Comprised of stroma, containing the neurovascular stuctures (e.g. arteries, veins, nerves)
Describe the cortex of the ovary?
- Outer part of the ovary
- Composed of developing follicles (at various stages of development)
What kind of epithelium surrounds the ovaries?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
What are the four tunics of the uterine tube (from inner to outer layers)?
- Tunica mucosa (inner layer)
- Tunica submucosa
- Tunica muscularis
- Tunica serosa
What part of the female reproductive tract is this histological image
The uterine tubes
Describe the structure of the tunica mucosa of the uterine tube?
- Highly folded around the length of the tube.
- Varies from different regions- ampulla is more elaborate folded.
- The isthmus is less elaborately folded
What are the sublayers of the tunica mucosa of the uterine tube?
Epithelium
Basement membrane
Lamina propria
What is the epithelium of the uterine tubes?
Simple columnar epithelium that has two different cell types.
Peg cells (also known as secretory cells).
Ciliated cells
What is the functions of the ciliated cells in the tunica mucosa layer of the uterine tube?
Beats in one direction (the direction towards the uterus)
Has two functions:
- Aids in the movement of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
- Protects against infection but beating pathogens away from the uterus.
Describe the tunica muscularis layer of the uterine tube?
Consists of two layers:
- Circular layer of smooth muscle (inner layer)
- Longitudinal layer of smooth muscle (outer layer).
Thick layer of smooth muscle, which contracts to help move the sperm along the uterine tube.
Thickest in the isthmus- as this is the only part prior to the ampulla- where fertilsiation occurs
What kind of movement of the tubal musculature in the uterine tube helps move the sperm along the uterine tube to the ampulla?
Peristaltic movement i.e. progressive wavelike contractions
What are the 3 layers of the uterus?
- Endometrium (inner layer)
- Stratum functionalis
- Stratum basalis
- Myometrium (middle layer)
- Peritoneum (outer layer)
Name these layers of the uterus?
Compare the stratum functionalis and basalis?
Stratum functionalis
- Superficial layer
- Proliferates in response to oestrogen
- Becomes secretory in response to progesterone
- Shed during menstruation
- Blood supply is coiled arteries.
Stratum basalis:
- Deep layer
- More cellular
- Little to no change throughout the menstrual cycle
- Maintained during menstruation
- Blood supply is straight arteries.
NOTE: both contain uterine glands
The stratum functionalis becomes secretory in response to which hormone?
Progesterone
The stratum functionalis proliferates in response to which hormone?
Oestrogen
What is the blood supply to the stratum functionalis?
Coiled arteries
What is the blood supply to the stratum basalis?
Straight arteries
Describe the histology of the cervix region?
- The transition of epithelium occurs here.
- Two parts of the cervix:
- Endocervix
- Ectocervix
Compare the endocervix and ectocervix region?
Endocervix:
- Upper part of the cervix
- Lined by simpled columnar epithelium
- Contains mucous-secreting glands.
Ectocervix:
- Lower part of the cervix
- Lined by stratified squamous epithelium
The transition point between endocervix and ectocervix is called what?
External os
The endocervix is lined by which epithelium?
Simple columnar epithelium
The ectocervix is lined by which epithelium?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Name these regions in the cervix?
The peritoneum layer in the cervix is continous which what structure?
The peritmetrium (aka the abdominal peritoneum)
Describe the myometrium layer of the uterus?
- Middle and the thickest layer of the uterus wall.
- Composed of smooth muscle.
- The smooth muscle cells undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy in preparation to expel the foetus at birth.
What are the four layers of the vagina, from inner to outer layer?
- Epithelium (inner layer)
- Lamina propria
- Fibromuscular layer
- Adventitia (outer layer)
Name these layers of the vagina?
What type of epithelium lines the vagina?
Stratified sqamous non-keratinised epithelium
The vagina is lubricated by mucus. From which location is this mucus coming from?
Cervical mucus lubricates the vagina.
The vagina does not contain glands
What are the 3 phases of the ovarian cycle?
The ovarian cycle represents the changes that occur in/from the ovaries.
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation
- Luteal phase
How long does the follicular stage last?
Around 14 days however varies significantly between women
Describe what happens during the follicular phase?
- At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, 15 to 20 primordial follicles are stimulated to grow under the influence of FSH
- The follicles develop until one reaches the tertiary stage.
The follicles are located at what part of the ovary?
Cortex (outside bit)
The follicles develop in stages. Name these stages?
- Primordial follicle
- Primary follicle
- Secondary follicle
- Tertiary follicle
What is the name of the follicles that are in the arrested state?
Premordial follicle
Describe the structure of the primordial follicles?
Contains a primary oocyte, which is surrounded by a single layer of squamous (flattened) follicular cells.
Which follicle does the primordial follicle develop into?
Primary follicle
The primary oocyte is arrested in which stage of development?
Arrested in meiosis I.
This histological image represents which stage of follicular development?
Name these parts
Primordial follicle
Describe the characteristics of the primary follicle?
- Surrounded by stratified follicular cells
- Follicular cells are now termed granulosa cells.
- Stratified: the follicular cells start to proliferate forming multiple layers i.e. multiple layers of granulosa cells.
- The oocyte secretes glycoproteins, which condense around it forming the zona pellucida.
- Moreover, at this stage the theca cells are being recruited from the surrounding stroma
This is an example of which kind of follicle?
Primary follicle
Name these parts of the primary follicle?
Describe how the zone pellucida is formed? which stage of follicular development does it form
The oocyte secretes glycoproteins, which condense around it forming the zona pellucida.
Formed during the primary follicle stage