12.06.11+-+Female+Reproductive+System


 * Female Reproductive System**


 * Information Table at Bottom of Page***


 * 1. Describe the histologic and functional features of the ovary.**

4 layers: Epithelium - simple cuboidal germinal epithelium - support Tunica Albuginea - acidophilic dense CT band - support Cortex - stores follicles within ovarian stroma secreted by stroma cells (modified fibroblasts) - houses developing follicle prior to ovulation Medulla - region of dense vasculature and loose CT - vascularizes


 * 2. Describe the histology and endocrine regulation of ovarian follicle development, ovulation and postovulatory follicles.**

See table at bottom of page


 * 3. Describe the histology, function and endocrine regulation of the uterine tube.**

Histology: the uterine tube is formed of 3 layers
 * mucosa - simple columnar epithelium with cilia and secretory cells; lamina propria; deeply folded, but no blind pockets
 * muscularis - two indistinct smooth muscle layers: inner circumferential and outer longitudinal
 * serosa - mostly mesothelium present except for where mesovarium attaches to broad ligament (then adventitia)

Function: site of fertilization; 4 regions: infundibulum fimbriae, ampulla, isthmus, intramural (uterine)

Endocrine regulation: Not discussed, ideas?


 * 4. Describe the structure, function and endocrine regulation of the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium of the corpus uteri.**

Endometrium Myometrium Perimetrium
 * See table at bottom of page
 * Structure: 4 layers of interlacing muscle: form fundus, corpus, and cervix; contain arcuate arteries that give off straight and spiral arteries
 * Function: maintain structure of uterus; during pregnancy undergoes hypertrophy/hyperplasia; during labor contracts
 * Endocrine Regulation: oxytocin stimulates contraction during labor
 * Structure: mostly covered with serosa (mesothelium and CT) except for in parametrium region enclosed by broad ligament (just CT)
 * Function: covers, anchors
 * Endocrine Regulation: N/A


 * 5. Describe the histologic and functional features of endometrial changes during proliferative, secretory and menstrual phases of the menstrual cycle.**

See table at bottom of page


 * 6. Identify histologic changes incurred by the endometrium (+) or (-) pregnancy and their relationship to changes in hormone levels.**

See table at bottom of page


 * 7. Describe the structure and function of the cervix uteri.**

Internal Os: opening to uterus; lined with simple columnar epithelium with mucous secretory cells Endocervix: side facing the cervix; folded into leaf pattern; smooth muscle wall of uterus has thinned out; anchored by stroma (mesothelium + CT) Exocervix: side facing the vagina; supported by thick (dense CT + smooth muscle) well-vascularized lamina propria External Os: opening to vagina; lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Plugged except for during ovulation and birth by thick mucous to prevent infection.


 * 8. Describe histological features of the vagina, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and Bartholin’s glands (major vestibular glands)**

Vagina: muscular wall; no glands; non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium w/ lamina propria/submucosa directly against muscle layer; lots of blood vessels and elastic fibers Labia majora: thin skin covering adipose w/ eccrine glands, apocrine glands, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands Labia minora: non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium covering keratin; some sweat and sebaceous glands present on outer surface Clitoris: non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium covering erectile tissue Bartholin's glands (major vestibular glands): enter vagina vestibule at 8 and 4; secrete mucous (lighter staining)


 * 9. Describe the histologic organization of the mammary glands including secretory units, duct system and areolar-nipple complex.**

Mammary glands
 * Secretory units:
 * tubuloalveolar secretory units
 * only well formed during pregnancy and while lactating
 * Simple cuboidal epithelium w/ single layer of myoepithelium
 * connected to duct system via interlobular ducts (compound secretory units)
 * Duct system: 3 parts form lactiferous duct
 * proper part: the majority of the duct, connecting the secretory units to the lactiferous sinus; stratified cuboidal epithelium lined with myoepithelium
 * lactiferous sinus: holding tank for milk, pleated to allow for expansion; stratified cuboidal epithelium lined with myoepithelium
 * galactophore: each duct has own opening lined with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
 * Areolar-nipple complex:
 * heavily pigmented thin skin with smooth muscle, eccrine glands, apocrine glands, and sebaceous glands


 * 10. Compare breast histology in the quiescent state versus pregnancy and lactation. Name the hormones that influence breast histology.**

Breast histology in the quiescent state is mostly adipose and loose CT with lactiferous duct system. Breast histology during pregnancy and lactation is much more complex; it is filled with the compound tubuloalveolar ductal system previously discussed.

Breast histology is originally developed by estradiol, but the changes for lactation/pregnancy occur due to ocytocin and prolactin.

As follicle hits the secondary antral follicular stage, the estradiol secretion causes the anterior pituitary gland to decrease FSH secretion. Also stimulates endometrium proliferation. || Levels continue to increase as follicle matures due to FSH influence. || Reaches secondary antral follicular stage || Begins to cavitate forming antrum within granulosa cells. || Stimulated by estrogen from developing follicle, remaining stratum basalis regenerates stratum functionalis complete with (few) spiral arterioles and (temporarily) straight glands || 6 || Triggers ovulation || Gradual Peak: Follicle secreted hormone (continues to be secreted by follicle) ||  || Completes first meiotic division, ovulated due to LH, picked up by fimbriated end of oviduct || Granulosa cells follow oocyte into ovulation ||   || 14 || Unless oocyte was fertilized, which allows placenta to secrete HCG, which maintains corpus luteum, which then maintains endometrium with estradiol/progesterone || 28 ||
 * **Day** || **Menstrual Cycle** || **Ovarian Cycle** || **FSH** || **LH** || **Estradiol** || **Progesterone** || **Oocyte** || **Follicle** || **Endometrium** || **Day** ||
 * **1** || Menstrual || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   || Primordial Oocyte || Follicular Cells sporadic || Due to loss of estradiol/progesterone: spiral arterioles constrict, stratum functionalis hemorrhages and sluffs off || 1 ||
 * 2 || Menstrual || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   || Primary Unilaminar Follicle || Basal Lamina forming between oocyte and single layer cuboidal cells surrounding follicle ||   || 2 ||
 * 3 || Menstrual || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   || Primary Multilaminar Follicle || Granulosa Cells: Multiple cuboidal with bare minimum zone pelucida ||   || 3 ||
 * 4 || Menstrual || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 4 ||
 * 5 || Menstrual || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 5 ||
 * 6 || Proliferative || Follicular || Gradual peak, secreted by Anterior Pituitary ||  || Estradiol secretion increasing gradually throughout follicularstage as FSH causes follicular development.
 * 7 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 7 ||
 * 8 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 8 ||
 * 9 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 9 ||
 * 10 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 10 ||
 * 11 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 11 ||
 * 12 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 13 ||
 * 13 || Proliferative || Follicular ||  ||   ||   ||   || Mature Graffian Follicle || Antrum has fully opened up splitting granulosa cells. Oocyte wrapped by granulosa cells called corona radiata and attached to follicular wall via cumulus oophorus ||   || 13 ||
 * 14 || Proliferative || Ovulatory || Peak || Sharp Peak; called a LH "surge"
 * 15 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   || Corpus Luteum begins to secrete estradiol || Corpus Luteum begins to secrete progesterone || Can be fertilized for up to 24 hours after ovulation as it moves through the oviduct || remaining granulosa cells (under influence by LH) becomes corpus luteum || Due to continued influence of oocyte and then corpus luteum estradiol and progesterone, glands develop into coiled glands. Spiral arteries proliferate. Stroma thick and edematous || 15 ||
 * 16 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   || Granulosa cells enlarge, called granulosa lutein cells ||   || 16 ||
 * 17 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 17 ||
 * 18 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   || Slow Peak: halts the development of immature follicles, inhibits release of more LH and stimulates the uterine endometrium to become secretory. ||   ||   ||   || 18 ||
 * 19 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 19 ||
 * 20 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   || Implantation occurs 5 days after fertilization (if it occurs) ||   ||   || 20 ||
 * 21 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 21 ||
 * 22 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 22 ||
 * 23 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 23 ||
 * 24 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 24 ||
 * 25 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 25 ||
 * 26 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 26 ||
 * 27 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   || Corpus Luteum lasts for 12 days if oocyte not fertilized (4-5 months is fertilized) secreting steadily decreasing amounts of estradiol and progesterone ||   || 27 ||
 * 28 || Secretory || Luteal ||  ||   || Once corpus luteum dies, no more estradiol to maintain endometrium nourishment, menstruation starts. || Once corpus luteum dies, no more progesterone to maintain endometrium nourishment, menstruation starts. ||   || Decays into Corpus Albicans. Termination. || Uh oh, here we go again.
 * **Day** || **Menstrual Cycle** || **Ovarian Cycle** || **FSH** || **LH** || **Estradiol** || **Progesterone** || **Oocyte** || **Follicle** || **Endometrium** || **Day** ||