SCHOOL OF MEDICAL

LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)

SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

→ External genitalia
OUTLINE ▪ includes the labias
I, FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM → Placenta
A. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN/TISSUES ▪ only develops when the female becomes pregnant
B. OVARY ▪ it provides the nutrients or supplement nutrients for the
C. OVULATION fetus.
D. OVIDUCT OR FALLOPIAN TUBE → Mammary glands
E. UTERUS
F. PLACENTA
G. CERVIX UTERI
H. VAGINA
I. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
J. MAMMARY GLAND

I. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

A. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS/TISSUES

Figure 2. External Genitalia

→ External genitalia
▪ Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris
▪ Also includes the vestibule in which you can find the
structures that are also important for the proper
functioning of the female external genitalia
→ Internal genitalia
▪ Ovaries, uterus, vagina
Figure 1. Female Reproductive Organs ● The development of these organs, both internal and external
genitalia, is not complete until gonadotropic hormones of the
● The female reproductive system is made up of the following pituitary gland initiate puberty.
organs or tissues. (figure 1)
● This system produces the female gametes or what we call as B. OVARY
the oocytes, which come from the ovaries.
● The female reproductive tissue also provides an environment
for fertilization and it holds the embryo during its complete
development through the fetal stage until birth.
● The ovaries produce steroid sex hormones, they control
organs of the reproductive system and also influence other
organs.
● When the first menstruation occurs, the reproductive system
during this time starts to undergo the monthly changes in
structure and function that are controlled by neural hormonal
mechanisms, until such time when menopause arrives.
→ Menopause is a viable time period during which the cyclic
changes become irregular and eventually disappear.
▪ During menopause the reproductive organs slowly
involute.
● The picture on the right represents the breasts or the mammary
glands. They do not belong to the genital system but they are
included here because they undergo changes directly
connected to the functional state of the reproductive organs. Figure 3. Ovary
● The female reproductive organs/tissues includes the following:
→ Ovary/Paired ovaries ● Paired, slightly flattened oval organ
→ Uterine tubes/Fallopian tubes ● 3 cm x 1.5 cm x 1 cm
→ Uterus ● Covered by low cuboidal epithelium
▪ The uterus per se has its body or what we call as the ● Parenchyma or the main body of the ovary is divided into an
corpus and its cervix. outer cortex and inner medulla
→ Vagina
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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

● In the cortex, there are large numbers of follicles of varying

sizes

Figure 4. Histologic image of the Ovary

● The outer layer is the cortex, the inner one is the medulla. Figure 7. Types of ovarian follicles
● In the cortex, that is where you see the variably sized ovarian
follicles ● Primordial follicle
● The lining epithelium is low cuboidal epithelium ● Primary follicle
● Antral or secondary follicle
● Mature or Graafian follicle

1. Primordial Follicle

Figure 5. Ovary

● In this picture, the low cuboidal epithelium is also referred to as

the germinal epithelium
● The cortex contains the different variant follicles Figure 8. Ovary (primordial follicle)

OVARIAN FOLLICLES ● Makes up the majority of follicles

● Consists of a large spherical oocyte enveloped by a single
layer of squamous cell
● The only follicles present at birth

Figure 6. Mature (graafian) follicle

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

2. Primary Follicles

Figure 9. Ovary (primary follicle)

● From primordial it will develop into primary follicles

● Oocyte grows larger Figure 10. Different types of follicles.
● Lose their squamous epithelial covering, first becoming
cuboidal, then proliferating into 2 or 3 layers of 4. Mature or Graafian Follicles
irregularly-shaped granulosa cells
● Oocyte and its surrounding granulosa cells become separated ● Oocyte resumes its meiotic division shortly before
by a narrow space ovulation.
→ The zona pellucida (contains a highly refractile layer of ● A large translucent vesicle occupies the full thickness of the
glycoprotein) cortex and bulges 1 cm or more above the surface of the ovary;
▪ The space between the oocyte and the granulosa cells is this is in preparation for ovulation.
what we call zona pellucida. → This is important because it will later on be expelled from the
ovary and this is during ovulation.
3. Antral or Secondary Follicles

● After puberty, a number of primary follicles enter a phase of

rapid growth in each menstrual cycle.
● Oocytes enlarge further and granulosa cells proliferate rapidly.
● Oocytes are displaced to one side by development of a
fluid-filled cavity in the mass of granulosa cells, called the
antrum.
→ That's why you call it the antral follicle as well, because of
the antrum.
● Accumulations of a few dark-stained bodies among the
granulosa cells, called Call-Exner bodies.
→ These structures are somewhat important also because
there are tumors that are made up of these structures.

Figure 11. Different types of follicles.

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

Figure 12. Diagram.

● Take note of this picture here and the stages for which the
follicles undergo until such time when the oocyte would be
extruded or released and then what happens to that follicle
after.
● Do you think that the degenerated corpus luteum becomes Figure 14 . Parts of the different follicles.
another primordial follicle?
C. OVULATION

● Within a few minutes after the formation of the clear vesicle, the
follicle ruptures and so the mature follicle should be protruding
from the ovarian cortex, and so when ovulation comes, it
raptures and the ovum is extruded out followed by a gush of
follicular fluid.
● Usually one ovum is released in each cycle.
→ After the ovum is released the follicle per se it becomes
empty, it becomes a corpus luteum.
● Corpus Luteum
→ After ovulation, the wall of the follicle collapses and
becomes deeply folded.

Figure 13. Follicle stages.

● So first with note of the primordial follicle it will become a

primary follicle and then your secondary follicle until such time
they will become a mature follicle and will be extruded, your
oocyte will be expelled during ovulation. Now what remains of
the follicle, an empty follicle becomes a corpus luteum and then
the corpus luteum degenerates.

Figure 15. Day of menstrual cycle.

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

● Ovarian function is dependent on gonadotrophic hormones of E. UTERUS

the anterior pituitary. ● Pear-shaped reproductive organ
→ FSH and LH ● 7 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm
● Before ovulation ● Divided into fundus, corpus uteri or body, isthmus, and a
→ FSH stimulates granulosa cells to secrete estradiol, the cylindrical lower segment, the cervix
precursor of estrogen. ● Uterine cavity
● After ovulation → flattened and triangular
→ Through the influence of LH, granulosa cells decrease ● Receives the product of conception from one of the oviducts for
estradiol production and their principal product becomes implantation
progesterone.
● Theca cells
→ Interstitial cells found around the follicles.
→ Have receptors for LH which stimulate theca cells to secrete
testosterone which later are converted to estradiol.

D. OVIDUCT OR FALLOPIAN TUBE

● Muscular tube about 12 cm long
● Its lumen is open to the peritoneal cavity at its distal end and
opposite end open into the uterine cavity.
● Three portions:
→ Isthmus
▪ The medial 3rd near the uterus.
▪ Closest to the uterus.
→ Ampulla
▪ The middle 3rd.
▪ The center.
→ Infundibulum
▪ Distal 3rd, funnel-shaped and its margins have
numerous tapering fringe-like processes called
fimbriae.
▪ Catches the oocyte that is released. Figure 17. Anatomical view of the female reproductive organs
● Lined by simple columnar epithelium.
● Functions: ● The uterus, specifically the corpus or the body, is made up of
→ Receives the ovum released from the ovary. different layers:
→ Provides the appropriate environment for its fertilization and → Inner endometrial layer
transport to the uterus. → Middle myometrial layer
● Provide environment for fertilization and transport of the → Outer perimetrial layer
fertilized ovum to the uterus but of course before the ovum is
fertilized, the fimbriae should be able to catch or receive the Myometrium
ovum released from the ovary. ● 1.25 cm thick middle layer of uterine wall
● Consist of flat or cylindrical bundles of interlacing smooth
muscles

Figure 16. Microscopic view of the fallopian tube.

Figure 18. Layers of the Uterus

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

Endometrium
● 4-5 mm thick mucosal lining of the uterine cavity
● Consist of:
→ Endometrial glands lined by simple columnar cells
→ Endometrial stroma
● Functions:
→ Prepare for the reception of the fertilized ovum
→ Participate in its implantation and nutrition
→ Form the maternal portion of the placenta

Figure 21. Uterus

F. CYCLIC CHANGES IN THE ENDOMETRIUM

(28 DAY CYCLE)

Figure 19. Histologic view of the uterus

Figure 22. Menstrual Cycle

● The cyclic changes in the endometrium during the menstrual
cycle includes the:
→ Proliferative phase
→ Secretory phase
→ Menstrual phase
● The cycle starts during the first day of menstruation.

Figure 20. Histologic view of the endometrial layers

TWO ZONES OF THE ENDOMETRIUM:

● Functionalis / Stratum functionalis
→ the upper to ⅔ that is sloughed off during menstruation
● Basalis / Stratum basalis
→ a deeper portion that remains and degenerates
Figure 23. Different appearance of Endometrium
→ layer closest to the myometrium

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

● These are the different appearance of the endometrium during

the different phases of the endometrial cycle or during the
menstrual cycle (fig 23).
● Menstrual Phase (picture on the right)
→ Take note of the reddish areas, it represents the denotation
of the cells because these structures will be sloughed off
during menstruation.

Proliferative Phase
● Coincides with estrogen secretion
● Beginning at the end of menstrual flow and continuing for 12 -14
days
● There is a 3- to 4-fold increase in the thickness of the
endometrium
● Endometrial glands lengthen and are straight and narrow
→ During proliferative phase we have thickening of the
endometrium so the endometrial glands lengthen and are
they appear straight and narrow under the microscope.

Figure 25. Secretory Phase

● Take note that there are tortuous glands.

● Edematous changes
→ Clear spaces okay in between the stromal cells.

Figure 24. Proliferative phase of the endometrium
● In proliferation phase, there are structures which are the
endometrial glands lined by a columnar epithelium.
Menstrual Phase
● Period of degeneration associated with rapid decline in
stimulation of the endometrium by ovarian hormones
● Occur about 2 weeks after ovulation
● Endometrium is denuded of surface epithelium;
● Glands collapsed and short.
→ Stratum functionalis is the part of the endometrium that
gets sloughed off.

Secretory Phase
● Coincides with secretion of progesterone
● Endometrium further thickens but this is due mainly to edema
of the stroma and accumulation of secretion in the glands
→ Edema is the fluid in the stroma and fluid inside the glands.
● Glands continue to grow becoming tortuous and sacculated

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

Figure 28. Structure of the Placenta

● Her, there is the presence of syncytiotrophoblast trophoblast

(S) and the cytotrophoblastS (C) that lines the chorionic villi

G. CERVIX UTERI
Figure 26. Secretory phase of endometrium

● Look at the glands, some are collapsed, and as you can notice
there is also blood also in the stroma so this part will be
sloughed off during the menstrual phase.

F. PLACENTA
● The implanted blastocyst continue to enlarge at the
expense of the surrounding endometrium
→ From the 15th day, cords of trophoblasts grow that will
form the chorionic villi of the placenta
● Chorionic villi consist of 2 types of trophoblast
→ Inner cytotrophoblast
→ Outer syncytiotrophoblast: synthesize HCG: Human
Chorionic Gonadotropin
▪ This hormone is the one we detect for the pregnancy test

Figure 29. Cervix

● Surrounds a cervical canal about 3 cm in length

● Continuous above with the uterine cavity through a constriction
called the internal os with the vagina below through the external
os
● Lined by simple columnar cells, near the external os there is an
abrupt transition to stratified squamous, the transformation
Figure 27. Structure of the Placenta zone
→ The lining epithelium is simple columnar but the outer portion
or the external os is lined by the stratified squamous
epithelium non-keratinized
→ The area between the simple columnar and the stratified
squamous is what we call as the transformation zone

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

▪ The vestibule is that structure between the labia minora, it

is where you will see the urethra and the vaginal opening
▪ The clitoris is an important structure

Figure 30. Structures of the Cervix Uteri

● Here there is the presence of stratified squamous (SS) lining

epithelium which lines the external cervix or the ectocervix and
a simple columnar epithelium (SC) which lines the endocervix
● The area in between the stratified squamous and the columnar Figure 31. External Genitalia
is what we call as a transformation zone wherein this zone is
very important because in here you will be able to appreciate ● The clitoris is an important structure also for the a female
the metaplastic changes occurring in the cells reproductive function
→ It can be a normal metaplasia occurring. Metaplasia is the ● The same thing with the male reproductive system wherein you
term that is used for a change from one cell type to another. have the glans pennies and in the picture is the clitoris which is
▪ When we say one cell type to another, it means that from very sensitive to stimulation and important in the feeding of
columnar it will change to squamous or squamous to satisfaction
columnar. ● In this picture, there is the internal genitalia as mentioned, it
▪ This transformation zone is important specifically during starts with the vagina okay and then the rest
pathology to a condition what we call as the cervical
cancer because this zone here contains the cells that are J. MAMMARY GLAND
a prone to infection with the human papilloma virus which
is an important causative agent for the development of
cervical cancer.

H. VAGINA
● Distensible fibromuscular tube
● 8-9 cm in length
● Mucosa is lined by stratified squamous epithelium
● Muscular coat consist of interlacing bundles of smooth muscles
→ People might be thinking of the vagina as that one you see
on the external surface but after the vagina is that distensible
fibromuscular tube inside the genitalia and it's connected to
the cervix
→ The lining epithelium of the vagina is stratified squamous
non-keratinized Figure 32. Mammary Gland
→ It also has a muscular coat consisting of bundles of smooth
muscles ● Paired gland found on the ventral aspect of the thorax on either
side of the midline
I. EXTERNAL GENITALIA ● Nipple is located in the center of a circular pigmented area of
● Clitoris corresponds to the dorsal portion of the penis; has 2 the skin called the areola
erectile corpora cavernosa ● 15-20 lactiferous ducts open into the tip of nipple
● Labia majora and minora are lined by stratified squamous → When we say lactiferous cannons are important in milk
epithelium production
● Vestibule between the labia minora ● Compound tubulo-alveolar gland consisting of 15 20 lobes
→ Area where urethra and vagina open surrounded by adipose tissue
● Functional unit is the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Ma. Theresa Fedoc
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.1/LESSON NO.1 - (PART 1)

→ The female reproductive organ also involves the mammary
glands, although the mammary glands do not belong to the
genital system but the mammary gland also undergo
changes that are directly connected to the functional state of
the reproductive organs.
→ The breast or the mammary gland contains specifically its
body tissue is made up of fat, some muscles and this
important nipple areolar complex
→ Look at at the center of the glans is a homogeneous material
which represents actually the product of that location which
is the milk
● During menopause the breast would also somehow be
appearing like this in picture (a)

Figure 33. The Different Structures that makes up the Breast

● The breast it's divided into the terminal duct lobular unit, lobular
stroma, nipple areolar complex, and the interlobular stroma
→ These are important because different lesions would come
from these different areas or structures in the breast.
▪ So if for example we have tumors coming from the breast
such as the fibroadenoma for example, it's easy to know
what part of the breasts they're coming wherein they're
usually coming from the lobular stroma
→ The interlobular stroma on the other hand would rather
present with tumors such as lipoma or sarcomas

Figure 34. The Different Structures and Status of the Breasts in relation to
the Reproductive Changes in the Woman

● (a): How the breast would look like before puberty

● (b): How the breast would look like during puberty
● (c): The changes that the breast undergoes when the woman is
lactating

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