Female reproductive system / Histology Assistant prof.

Eman Ali Hashim

What are the organs in the female reproductive system ?

Describe the main histological structures of the ovary after puberty.

Ovaries

*Two almond-shaped bodies .

* approximately 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, and 1 cm thick.

*is covered by germinal epithelium ( low cuboidal ) continuous with the mesothelium .

*Beneath this epithelium is tunica albuginea.( c.t. capsule).

*each ovary is subdivided into the highly cellular cortex & a medulla , which consists mostly of richly
vascularized loose c. t. ( hilum region?)
What is meant by oogenesis ?

What is the histological picture of an ovary during embryonic development .

Ovarian follicles

An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells.

The follicles that are formed during fetal life*primordial follicles* consist of a primary oocyte, enveloped
by a single layer of the flattened follicular cells.

These follicles are found in the superficial areas of the cortex.

List the main structural changes that occur in ovarian follicles during puberty, and why?

Beginning in puberty with the release of (FSH) from the pituitary, a small group of primordial follicles
each month begins a process of follicular growth. This involves growth of the oocyte, proliferation and
changes in the follicular cells, proliferation and differentiation of the stromal fibroblasts around each
follicle.

When the follicular cells change from simple squamous to simple cuboidal, the follicle becomes larger &
known as primary follicle. (unilaminar & multilaminar primary follicles ).

Multilaminar or growing follicles . The follicular cells continue to proliferate , forming many layers called
granulosa layer.

Between the oocyte & granulosa a layer of extracellular material called zona pellucida develops ,
glycoproteins secreted by the oocyte.

Which ovarian follicle is called antral follicle?

What is follicular theca ? In which follicle appears ?

Which layer in the wall of ovarian follicle will produce estrogen?

Secondary or antral follicle

As the follicles grow with increasing oocyte size and numbers of granulosa cells, they move deeper in
the ovarian cortex.

Small spaces develop within the granulosa layer as the cells secrete follicular fluid (or liquor folliculi).

This fluid accumulates in the spaces in granulosa layer.

While the follicle develops, the stromal cells immediately around the follicle differentiate to form outer
covering follicular theca .
. Then theca differentiates into two parts ,

The endocrine tissue, the theca interna, and a more fibrous outer theca externa.

No clear boundary between them. Theca interna differentiates as steroid producing cells & start to
secrete estrogen.

What are the main histological differences between secondary & mature follicles?

Mature follicle

During the reorganization of the granulosa layer to form single antral space, some cells form a small
hillock, the cumulus oophorus, The granulosa cells immediately around and linked to the oocyte make
up the corona radiata and accompany the oocyte when it leaves the ovary.

Notice location of the oocyte ?

At which stage of follicular development , atresia occurs ?

What are the characteristic features of atretic follicles ?

Follicular atresia

Most ovarian follicles undergo the degenerative process called atresia, in which follicular cells and
oocytes die .

Follicles at any stage of development, including nearly mature follicles, may become atretic .

Atresia involves apoptosis and detachment of the granulosa cells, autolysis of the oocyte and collapse of
the zona pellucida.

Ovulation

Rupture of part of the wall of the mature follicle and liberation of the oocyte, with its zona pellucida &
corona radiata .. It takes place in approximately the middle of the menstrual cycle, around the
fourteenth day of a 28-day cycle.

The stimulus for ovulation is a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
in response to high levels of circulating estrogen produced by the antral follicles , increased pressure of
the follicular fluid in the antrum called preovulatory swelling

The increasing pressure of the follicular fluid and weakening of the follicular wall, lead to rupture of the
ovarian surface at the stigma.

Name the follicular layers that will form the wall of corpus luteum .

Corpus leutum

The wall of ovulated follicle collapses, with some structural & functional changes . The center fills with
clotted blood, form a pale, central core of connective tissue .

*granulosa cells become granulosa lutein cells - the main component of the corpus luteum of
menstruation or pregnancy .
*theca interna cells become theca lutein cells ( darker cells at the periphery , and accompanying
vascular septa) .

*Presence of c.t. capsule derived from theca externa of the ovulated follicle.

Which cell layer in the wall of corpus luteum secretes progesterone?

* Granulosa lutein cells become enlarged, with many lipid droplets (vacuoles, in H&E preparation) , and
secrete the steroid hormone, progesterone

* Progesterone makes the uterine mucosa secretory; and inhibits menstruation and uterine muscle
contraction.

* * Late in pregnancy, or late in the menstrual cycle (if the ovulated oocyte is not fertilized), the
glandular lutein cells degenerate; the corpus luteum shrinks, and is replaced by a small pale mass corpus
albicans (white to the naked eye in the fresh, unstained ovary).

What is the histological structure of uterine tube mucosa ?

Uterine tubes / Fallopian tubes

The uterine tubes or oviducts are paired ducts that catch the ovulated secondary oocyte, nourish both
the oocyte and sperm, provide the microenvironment for fertilization.

There are 4 segments, infundibulum , ampulla , isthmus & intramural segments .

The mucosa has numerous branching, longitudinal folds that are most prominent in the ampulla

These mucosal folds become smaller in the segments of the tube closer to the uterus .

The epithelium contains two important cell types, ciliated cells and darker staining secretory cells, or peg
cells, whose apical ends typically bulge into the lumen .

The cilia beat toward the uterus. Peg cells produce glycoproteins ,nutritive and lubricating fluid covering
the epithelium. Secretion of peg cells facilitate capacitation of spermatozoa .

Muscular wall is composed of two layers ( poorly defined) inner circular , outer longitudinal & the
outer covering is ------------ .
Uterus

The uterus , a single

pear-shaped muscular organ attached to oviducts at upper end and to vagina at lower end.

Uterine wall has 3 layers

Endometrium

Myometrium

Perimetrium

Name the regenerative layer in the uterine endometrium .

Talk about the blood circulation of endometrium.

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle ?

Endometrium

Mucosal lining of uterus, is composed of simple columnar epithelium & lamina propria ( highly cellular ).
There are simple tubular glands.

The endometrium consists of two layer:

Functionalis ( thick, superficial layer that sloughed at menstruation ) & basalis ( deep, narrow layer at
which c.t elements & glands proliferate to regenerate the functionalis layer during menstrual cycle.

Arcuate arteries in the myometrium give rise to the straight arteries of the basal layer which give rise to
the coiled arteries of the functionalis layer of endometrium.
Myometrium is composed of three layers of smooth muscle, inner & outer are longitudinal but the
middle is circular ( richly vascularized).

Size & number of muscle cells are related to estrogen level as example the largest & most numerous
muscle fibers are during pregnancy,( hyperatrophy & hyperplasia).
Because the uterus is tipped anteriorly& lies against the bladder, much of its portion is covered by
adventitia. The fundus & posterior portion of the body is covered by serosa.

What are the phases of menstrual cycle, and how many days it lasts?

Proliferative phase

*It starts from day 5 to 14 of menstrual cycle.

Cells of gland base proliferate forming simple columnar epithelium.

Endometrium formed with glands of straight tubes & narrow lumens.

Coiled arteries grow into regenerated lamina propria.

Secretory phase

It begins after ovulation at day 14, 15 of the cycle

Corpus luteum forms and produces progesterone

Glands develop further, become coiled and begin to secrete a secretion rich in glycogen.

Is there any differences in thickness of endometrium between proliferative & secretory phase?

Menstrual phase

Progesterone and estrogen decrease causing coiled arteries to constrict cutting off blood flow to the
functional layer of endometrium

Endometrial cells die and the functional layer is sloughed off

Subsequent dilatation of deeper vessels combined with necrosis of the walls of superficial vessels leads
to bleeding.

What are the main differences between the wall of uterus & cervix ?

Uterine cervix

Cervical mucosa has mucous glands

There are no coiled arteries, thicker endometrium and thinner myometrium.

Cervical mucosa remains intact during menstrual cycle

Cervical gland secretions vary during menstrual cycle, at ovulation mucous is watery, so sperm can
penetrate easily.

In luteal phase or pregnancy mucous is more viscous to block sperm or microbes.

Uterine cervix

*Lower part of uterus, protruding into vagina.

*Canal is lined by tall columnar mucin secreting epithelium.

*Surface protruding into vagina is covered by stratified squamous epithelium.

*squamous columnar junction is an important site of disease.

*Stroma of smooth muscle fibers & collagen fibers .Normally is firm & rubbery, lumen is narrow. It has
the ability to dilate .

What is the lining epithelium of vagina ?

Mention two characteristic features of lamina propria of vagina .

Vagina

Epithelium is stratified squamous non- keratinized.

Cells appear vacuolated due to accumulation of glycogen. Breakdown of glycogen by normal flora
resulting in increase in acidic PH which inhibit growth of microbes.

lamina propria is loose connective tissue, highly vascularized with many elastic fibers.

Muscular layer

Adventitia

The structure of the vagina varies with age & hormonal activity .

Before puberty & after menopause, the epithelium is thin. During the reproductive years the epithelium
is thick. There are increase mitotic figures in basal layers. The peripheral cells increase in size as a result
of accumulation of stored glycogen ( maximum content at time of ovulation .)