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Female Reproductive System

All photographs were obtained from the slides in the laboratory


Illustrations from Jun2x or DiFiores
Information from Lab Guide, Jun2x, and DiFiores
Ovary
Identify organ: Ovary
Identify specimen: Ovary
Functions: Production of oocytes &
hormones

Two layers:
• Cortex – contains follicles &
postovulatory structures (Corpus
luteum, etc)
• Medulla – Loose Connective
Tissue, Blood vessels, nerves,
lymphatics
• Continuous with mesovarium ->
ovarian ligament
Ovary
Ovary
• Germinal Epithelium
• (Simple cuboidal epithelium)
• Tunica albuginea
• (fibrous connective tissue)
• Primordial follicles
• Single layer of flattened follicular cells
• Contains a primary oocyte
Primary Follicle
(+) Zona pellucida
Doc My: “No need to identify as unilaminar or multilaminar.
Just write ‘Primary follicle’ and that’s it.”
Follicular cells are cuboidal
(+) Liquor folliculi, which will organize to form the
antrum (single fluid-filled space)
(+) theca folliculi composed of stromal cells
• Theca interna – secrete androstenedione
(converted to Estradiol in granulosa cells via
aromatase)
• Theca externa – with smooth muscles &
fibroblasts; merges with stroma
Much larger than secondary follicle
Still contains a primary oocyte
Corona radiata – granulosa cells immediately
surrounding oocyte; will accompany the
oocyte once released from the ovary during
ovulation

Zona pellucida – contains glycoproteins


important for binding of sperm during
fertilization
Atretic follicles
Only the dominant follicle will undergo
ovulation & conversion to corpus
luteum
Other follicles will undergo atresia

Events in atresia:
1. Apoptosis & detachment of
granulosa cells
2. Autolysis of oocyte
3. Collapse of ZP
Takes place before birth until a few
years before menopause
Most prominent just after birth
Decline of maternal hormones
(puberty & pregnancy)
Postovulatory structures
Note: Confirmed with Doc My using this exact
same picture

Corpus luteum
Temporary endocrine structure
Tip of arrow: degenerated antrum
Composed of Granulosa lutein and theca lutein
cells
Function: secrete hormones, primarily
progesterone (needed to maintain endometrial
lining)
CL of menstruation: lasts only one menstrual
cycle; requires LH
CL of pregnancy: requires hCG; maintained up to
4-5 months

Corpus albicans
Degenerated Corpus luteum (of menstruation)
Composed of dense connective scar tissue
Oviduct
Uterine tube, Fallopian tube
Function: conduit/transport of oocyte
from ovary to uterus
Ampulla: common site of fertilization
Oviduct
 Mucosa:
o Simple columnar epithelium with cilia
o Secretory cells (nonciliated) – Peg cells
o Lamina propria: Loose connective
tissue
 Muscularis
 Consists of an inner circular muscle
layer and an outer longitudinal layer.
o Peristalsis for transport of sperm and
oocyte
 Thin serosa covered by visceral
peritoneum with mesothelium.
Oviduct
 Mucosa:
o Simple columnar epithelium with cilia
o Function: assists in transport of oocyte
o Secretory cells (nonciliated) – Peg cells
o Secretes mucus/glycoproteins for nurture of
oocyte/sperm & for capacitation (sperm activation)
o May have an apical bulge to lumen (mistaken for cilia)
o Lamina propria: Loose connective tissue
Uterus
Identify organ: Uterus
Identify layers:
• Endometrium
• Myometrium
• Perimetrium
At what stage is this specimen?
• Follicular/proliferative stage

Myometrium
• Thick wall of smooth muscle
• Function: contraction during childbirth
• Responds to oxytocin
Endometrium (functional layers):

• Functionalis
• Sloughed off during menstruation
• Vascular supply: coiled/helical arteries
• Basalis
• Not sloughed off; regenerates the functionalis
• Vascular supply: straight arteries
Uterus
Proliferative/Follicular Secretory/Luteal

• Proliferative: Mucosa is thin (2-3 mm);


• Uterine Glands are straight & not hypertrophied

• Secretory: Mucosa is thick (5 mm)


• glands are coiled & hypertrophied
• (+) edema

Cervix
Identify specimen: cervix

Areas/regions:

• Endocervix
• Mucosa: Simple columnar epithelium
• Contains cervical glands (mucous
secretion) – function: lubrication
• Transition zone
• Region where epithelium changes
between endocervix & ectocervix
• Common site of neoplasia (tumor
growth)
• Ectocervix
• Mucosa: Stratified squamous, non-
keratinized epithelium
Endocervix
Cervical glands

Cervical secretions vary with the


phase of the menstrual cycle
• thin and clear at the proliferative
phase;
• thick and viscous at the luteal
phase
Cervix
Transformation zone
• Common site of
neoplasias
• This is the site where
the pap smear is
obtained
Vagina
• Mucosa: stratified squamous
epithelium, non-keratinized; lacks
glands
• Some vascular cavernous spaces may be
seen (erectile tissue)
• Muscularis: 2 layers, indistinct borders
• Adventitia
• Dense irregular CT, (+) > elastic fibers;
Purpose: makes the vagina tough and
flexible to survive vaginal delivery or
rough kinky sex ;)
• Loose connective tissue with a
prominent venous plexus forms the
outer part of the adventitia.
Vagina
Placenta
• Transient structure, with a fetal and
maternal portion
• Functions:
• Exchange of gas & nutrients for
developing fetus
• Endocrine organ, producing HCG, a
lactogen, relaxin, and various growth
factors, in addition to estrogen (E3) and
progesterone
Placenta
Identify specimen: Placenta
Identify structure: Chorionic villi

Doc My: “No need to identify


whether it is primary, secondary,
or tertiary; just answer chorionic
villus or villi.”

Cellular components:
• Syncytiotrophoblasts
• Darker staining peripheral cells
• Cytotrophoblasts
• Large, pale staining cells
surrounding the blood vessels
Mammary glands
• Identify organ: Mammary glands,
or breast
• Modified apocrine sweat glands
• They are compound branched
alveolar glands, which consist of
15-25 lobes separated by dense
interlobar connective tissue and
fat.
• At what stage is this specimen
seen? Lactation
Mammary glands
• Secretory alveoli (simple cuboidal),
lactiferous ducts (stratified cuboidal)
• Secretion: breastmilk
• Protein: Merocrine secretion
• Lipids: Apocrine secretion
• Hormones:
• Milk production: Prolactin
• Milk ejection: Oxytocin
• Stimulus: sucking of newborn

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