Term
| What are the 4 layers of the ovary? |
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Definition
Medulla
Cortex
Tunica Albuginea
Germinal Epithelium |
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Term
| Describe the medulla of the ovary |
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Definition
Loose connective tissue; arteries, veins, nerves, and lymphatic channels branch extensively to supply the cortical tissue
The suspensory ligament of the ovary penetrates into the medulla at the hilum; the suspensory ligament is how blood vessels enter and exit the ovary |
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Term
| Describe the cortex of the ovary |
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Definition
| This is the functional tissue of the ovary; it houses female germ cells; each oocyte is surrounded by a layer of epithelial cells and together these components comprise an ovarian follicle; degenerating (atretic) follicles can be seen in the cortex; surrounding the follicles is a highly cellular, connective tissue stroma rich in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells |
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Term
| Describe the tunica albuginea of the ovary |
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Definition
| Protective, dense collagenous connective tissue capsule |
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Term
| Describe the germinal epithelium of the ovary |
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Definition
| Covers the external surface of the ovary; It is continuous with the peritoneum and consists of a simple cuboidal epithelium |
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Term
| What is the effect of FSH on follicles? |
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Definition
| It causes them to grow and mature; they enlarge, differentiate, and become encapsulated by ovarian stroma |
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Term
| What are the maturational stages of an ovarian follicle? |
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Definition
Primordial follicle
Primary follicle
Multilaminar primary follicle
Early secondary follicle
Late secondary follicle
Graafian (tertiary) follicle |
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Term
| Describe a primordial follicle |
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Definition
| Resting follicle; smallest and most numerous follicle type; contains a primary oocyte arrested in prophase of MI; surrounded by simple squamous follicular epithelium |
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Term
| Describe a primary follicle |
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Definition
| Results from a growth of primary oocyte under the influence of FSH; simple cuboidal follicular epithelium, zona pellucida begins to form |
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Term
| What is the function of the zona pellucida? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the characteristics of a multilaminar primary follicle? |
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Definition
| Follicular cells proliferate, forming a stratified layer; these cells are now called granulosa cells and secrete estrogen; zona pellucida matures; stromal cells begin to reorganize around basal lamina |
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Term
| Describe an early seconday follicle |
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Definition
| Continued proliferation of granulosa cells; movement of follicle deeper into the cortical stroma, granulosa cells being to secrete fluid (liquor folliculi) |
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Term
| What are the characteristics of a late seconday follicle? |
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Definition
| Antrum, cumulus oophorus, and corona radiata form; formation of 2 thecal layers (interna and externa) |
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Term
| What is the theca interna? |
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Definition
| Inner, vascular, grandular layer that nourishes the oocyte; it comprises the interstitial gland of the ovary; its cells synthesize estrogen precursors; fibroblasts, collagen bundles, and a rich arterial supply are also found here |
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Term
| What is the theca externa? |
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Definition
| Outer capsular layer blends with the neighboring stroma; its main constituents are smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers |
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Term
| Describe a Graafian follicle |
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Definition
| Mature, preovulatory follicle with single large antrum; contains a seconday oocyte arrested in metaphase of MII; cumulus oophorous protrudes into atrum; corona radiata closely associated with oocyte; basal membrane surrounded by theca interna and theca externa |
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Term
| Describe atretic follicle |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| The bulge on the ovarian surface due to a graafian follicle |
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Term
| When is the first meiotic division completed for an oocyte? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the corpus hemorrhagicum? |
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Definition
| Bloody scar tissue that is formed following ovulation |
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Term
| What is the process of corpus luteum creation? |
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Definition
| After ovulation, the follicular and thecal cells collapse and reorganize into the corpus luteum; granulosa cells enlarge, prepare for hormone synthesis, and differentiate into granulosa lutein cells; blood and lymphatic vessels from the theca interna grow into the granulosa layer; stromal cells luteinize (become grandular) modifying themselves into theca lutein cells |
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Term
| How is scar tissue deposited in the ovary after the degeneration of the corpus luteum? |
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Definition
| Macrophages migrate into this structure to phagocytose the devascularized debris; fibroblasts then migrate into this structure and deposit collagen forming acellular scar tissue |
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Term
| What are the 4 anatomic regions of the fallopian tube? |
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Definition
Infundibulum - with fimbriae
Ampulla - long, thin, and dilated; the usual spot for fertilization
Isthmus - short, thick walled
Intramural area - opens into uterus |
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Term
| Describe the structure and function of peg cells in the fallopian tubes |
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Definition
| Peg cells are dispersed among ciliated cells; they produce nutritive material; elongated nucleus; nonciliated dome-shaped apical surface |
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Term
| What are the layers of the wall of the oviduct? |
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Definition
Mucosa (ciliated cells and peg cells)
Lamina propria (loose CT)
Muscularis (thick inner circular smooth muscle layer)
Serosa (simple squamous mesothelium continuous with peritoneum; underlying loose CT; conduit for vasculature) |
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Term
| What are the 3 layers of the uterine fundus and body? |
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Definition
| Endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium |
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Term
| What is the cell type of the uterine endometrium? |
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Definition
simple columnar epithelium
It has two cell types: ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells
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Term
| Describe the uterine endometrial stroma |
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Definition
Composed of the lamina propria and endometrial glands
The endometrial glands secrete gylcoproteins and extend deep into the lamina propria |
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Term
| What are the 2 functional layers of the endometrium? |
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Definition
Stratum functionalis
Stratum basalis |
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Term
| What cell type lines the stratum functionalis? |
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Definition
| Simple columnar epithelium |
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Term
What effect does oxytocin have on myometrium smooth muscle fiber receptors? |
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Definition
| During pregnancy, oxytocin signals their contraction |
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Term
| Describe the structure of the uterine myometrium |
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Definition
Think, smooth muscle tunic of the uterus; it is marked by 3 poorly defined layers: inner longitudinal, middle circular, and outer longitudinal; richly vascularized and contains abundant lymphatic channels
During pregnancy, the myometrial layers thicken |
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Term
| What are the characteristics of the uterine perimetrium? |
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Definition
| Thin layer firmly attached to the external surface of the myometrium; consists of a serosa posteriorly and laterally; continuous with the pelvic peritoneum; an adventitia is present over the organ's flat anterior segment where dense irregular connective tissue underlies the mesothelium |
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Term
| What is the time span of the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle in regards to ovulation? |
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Definition
| 9 days leading up to ovulation |
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Term
| When does the secretory phase of the uterine cycle occur in regards to ovulation? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the changes of the decidual reaction? What do they serve as a definitive sign of? |
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Definition
They serve as a definitive sign of pregnancy; signaled by embryo implantation; mentrual phase replaced by gravid stage
Endometrial stromal cells store lipids and glycogen; they also become large, round epitheliod cells; they will eventually degenerate and release their material in the vicinity of the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, serving as a source of nourishment during early embryonic development
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Term
| What are the arteries of the uterus and what areas do they supply? |
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Definition
Uterine artery
Arcuate arteries - vascular layer of the myometrium
Radial arteries
Straight arteries (from radial)- stratum basalis
Spiral arteries (from radial)- stratum functionalis |
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Term
| What happens to the spiral artery during menstruation? |
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Definition
The distal segment degenerates and sloughs off under hormonal influence; this causes bleeding and necrosis of the epithelium lining
The proximal segment retracts into the stratum basalis and constricts to limit blood loss during menstruation |
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Term
| What type of epithelium lines the endocervical canal? ectocervix? |
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Definition
Endocervical canal - mucus secreting columnar epithelium
Ectocervix - stratified squamous type epithelium continuous with the vaginal epithelium |
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Term
| What percentage of cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (CINs) arise at the transition zone between the endocervical canal and ectocervix? |
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Definition
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Term
| What changes occur at the cervical epithelium mid way through the mentrual cycle? |
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Definition
| There is a 10 fold increase in the amount of mucus produced; the consistency of this mucus becomes less viscous (more watery); this enhances the motility of sperm and aids in fertilization |
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Term
| What is the purpose of Cooper's suspensory ligaments? |
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Definition
| They help anchor the modified apocrine sweat glands to the skin in mammary glands |
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Term
| During pregnancy, what changes occur in female mammary glands? |
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Definition
| Increases in adipose tissue and enlargement of terminal ductules and lobular units |
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Term
| What changes occur in female mammary glands during pregnancy? |
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Definition
| Ductal elements proliferate and branch extensively; numerous alveoli arise from their distal ends; there is a gradual decrease in adipose and connective tissue stromal components |
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Term
| Milk lipids are excreted in what method? Milk proteins? |
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Definition
Milk lipids - apocrine
Milk proteins - merocrine |
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Term
| What hormone is required for milk letdown? |
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Definition
Oxytocin
This hormone signals contraction of myoepithelial cells |
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Term
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Definition
Colostrum is milk secreted during the first few days after childbirth
It has high protein and vit A content; its high antibody content provides passive immunity to breastfed infants during the first six months of life |
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