Female Reproductive Histology

Granulosa cell microvilli

(4) labels a "shell" around the oocyte, what structures would be found in this layer that do not originate from the oocyte?

Zona pellucida

(4) labels a layer of cross-linked proteins secreted by the oocyte. In microscopic sections it appears as a refractile layer.

Leiomyosarcoma

Malignant tumor, rare, typically post-menopausal women.

Cortex

What part of the ovary is denoted by (a)? Hint: Contains *ovarian follicles* embedded into a highly cellular stroma with interstitial glands (remnants of atretic follicles).

Ovarian Medulla

What part of the ovary is denoted by (b)? Hint: Contains a rich vascular bed and nerves with LCT.

Infundibulum

What part of uterine tube is (a) in the image? Hint: I have fibriae!

Corpus albicans

White structure of scar tissue of cells undergoing cytolysis.

Cervical cancer

Most commonly associated with transition zone of the cervix; commonly associated with human papillomavirus.

Ciliated cells

Most numerous simple columnar cells in uterine tube, directs one way traffic toward uterus.

Primordial follicles

Name (a), the earliest stage in follicular development with oocyte and squamous follicular cells.

Germinal epithelium

Name (b) the simple cuboidal epithelial cells that cover the ovary.

Tunica albuginea

Name (d), the connective tissue capsule that underlies the germinal epithelium and separates it from the cortex.

Multilaminar (late) primary follicle

Name the follicle with stromal cells, multiple layers of granulosa cells, zona pellucida, and cortical granules w/in plasma membrane of oocyte.

Secondary follicle

Name this structure with thick granulosa layer (6-10 cells), fluid filled cavities, & bilayered stroma.

Uterine cervix

Simple columnar proximally, stratified squamous distally with a transition zone b/w the two; contains extremely long and branched glands. Mucus production increases mid-menstrual to favor sperm migration.

Peg cells

Simple columnar secretory cells that produce fluid providing nutrients for the ovum.

Epithelium (uterus)

Simple columnar with unbranched tubular glands called uterine glands.

Muscularis (uterine tube)

Smooth muscle bilayer; thick inner circular layer and thin outer longitudinal layer. Whole is thicker in the isthmus where peristaltic contractions occur.

Enter Meiosis II

Surge of LH & FSH leads to ovulation; triggers follicle to what stage of growth?

Ovarian follicular atresia

What is going on in the two highlighted follicles? Hint:stimulated by the granulosa cells that stop dividing, detach from the basement membrane, and undergo apoptosis.

Androgens & progesterone

What is secreted by the cells indicated by (B) in the image? Hint: The dark granules represent production of steroids (but not estrogen).

Theca externa

What is the collagen and fibroblast layer denoted by (a) called? .

Theca interna

What is the highly vascular CT, and cells with lipid droplets, mitochondria w/tubular cristae, LH receptors, and secretes steroids (androgens) denoted by (B) in the image?

Ampulla

What part of uterine tube is (b) in image? Hint:Longest portion of the uterine tube; makes me think of dating, a little lost and confused with a maze of obsticles, good luck sperm.

Isthmus

What part of uterine tube is (c) in image? Hint: Narrow segment adjacent to uterus.

Intramural part

What part of uterine tube lies w/in uterine wall and opens into the uterus?

Unilaminar (early) primary follicle

What type of follicle is the larger one with single layer of columnar follicular cells as wells as emerging zona pellucida?

Corpus luteum

Yellow structure formed by granulosa and thecal cells act as a powerful endocrine gland stimulating the growth and secretory activity of the uterine endometrium in preparation for implantation.

Membrana granulosa

Name the layer indicated by (A) in the image.

Capillaries

Include dilated segments called lacunae.

Ovulation

During this process the macula pellucida ruptures and the oocyte with corona radiata is released into the peritoneal cavity.

Stratum basale

Endometrial layer retained during menstration.

Stratum functionale

Endometrial layer sloughed off during menstration.

Lamina propria (uterus)

Endometrial stroma of loose CT that is highly cellular.

Cystic teratoma

Benign tumor that contains bizarre composition of tissues (bone, cartilage, thyroid follicles, hair, ect.).

Corpus hemorrhagicum

Bleeding of capilaries w/in theca interna and into the follicular lumen forms this structure.

Endometrium

Changes in this structure (a +b) are cyclic and controlled by gonadotropins secreted by the pars distalis of the pituitary that regulate the hormonal secretion of the ovary.

Endometriosis

Clusters of endometrial cells settle outside of the uterus, most commonly in the ovary, oviduct, but sometimes as far as the colon.

Theca folliculi

Connective tissue stroma around the late primary follicle forms a sheath around the follicle.

Mucosa (uterine tube)

Deep longitudinal folds lined with ciliated simple columnar cells.

Radial arteries

Deliver blood directly to straight arteries.

Primary follicle

Describes both (c) and (e) in the image; oocyte enlarging, cuboidal follicular cells proliferating.

antrum

Fluid-filled cavities appear within granulaosal layer that coalesce and form a larger cavity.

FSH

Follicles (c) and (e) are growing follicles, what caused these to grow at the beginning of the menstraul cycle?

FSH and LH

Growth regulation of the follicle in the image is controlled by what?

Mature (Graafian) follicle

Have a prominent antrum, theca folliculi, membranous granulosa, cumulus oophorus, and corona radiata surrounding oocyte. What am I?

Leiomyoma

Hormone dependant benign tumor of myometrium, composed of smooth muscle & connective tissue; more common in pre-menopausal women.

Vagina

No glands here. Has: epithelium, mucosa, lamina propria, two layer muscularis, and adventitia of DCT rich in elastic fibers and outer LCT.

Complete meiosis II

Occurs only if the oocyte is penetrated by a spermatozoon.

Perimetrium

Outer layer of uterus, corresponds to serosa/adventitia. Mesothelial lining w/submesothelial loose CT. (anterior exception, no mesothelium, CT of adventitia).

Menstrual phase

Phase endometrium shrinks from declined **progesterone and estrogen**. Last stratum standing: stratum basale.

Secretory phase

Phase influenced by **progesterone**; uterine glands enlarge and become corkscrew-shaped (coiled), lumina of glands fill with secretory products (glycogen).

Proliferative phase

Phase influenced by ovarian **estrogen** secretion, stratum basale and epithelium proliferate, staight tubular glands continues until 1 day after ovulation (endometrium is ~3 mm thick)

Theca lutein cells

Produce progesterone and androgens in the corpus luteum (~15 micrometers in diameter).

Granulosa lutein cells

Produce progesterone and convert androgens into estrogen in the corpus luteum (30 micromicrometers in diameter) .

Corpus luteum of pregnancy

Production of HCG keeps this active till the 8th week; replaced by placenta, fxn's in secretions of progesterone to inhibit follicular development w/in ovary.

Interstitial glands

Remnants of atretic follicles composed luteal cells; produce hormones; most prominent during first years of life, decrease in number afterwards (cat ovary slide).

Liquor folliculi

The antrum denoted by (e) is filled with hyaluronic acid-rich fluid, what is the name for this fluid?

Prophase of meiosis

The follicle in the image is arrested in what stage of development?

Gap junctions

The section denoted by the yellow arrow is associated with the oocyte before and after ovulation via microvilli that communnicate with using what?

Cumulus oophorus

The structure denoted by the yellow arrow is associated with the oocyte before but not after ovulation, what is this struture?

Epithelial cells (vagina)

These non-karatinized stratified squamous cells, secrete glycogen for bacteria, which metabolize it to lactic acid, which lowers pH.

Myometrium

Thick distensible layer of uterus with an inner layer, middle layer (stratum vasculare w/arcuate arteries), and outer layer.

Serosa (uterine tube)

Thin layer of connective tissue covered with a thin mesothelial lining.

Epithelium (uterine tube)

Undergo cyclic changes of hypertrophy (follicular phase) and atrophy (luteal phase) in response to hormone levels.

Arcuate arteries

Vessels w/in myometrium; deliver blood from uterine artery to radial arteries.

Macula pellucida (stigma)

W/in germinal epithelium undergoes reduced blood supply immediately prior to ovulation.

Cortical granules

What are the darkened granules in (3) of the image? Released after fertilization of the oocyte. Agents from the these make zona pellucida impermeable for other spermatozoa in order to prevent polyspermy (cortical reaction).

Spiral artery

What arteries would you find in (a) in the image? Hint: Branches of arteries that supply the luminal surface and supply the stratum functionale of the endometrium.

Staight arteries

What arteries would you find in (b) in the image? Hint: Branches of arteries that supply stratum basale of endometrium.