HISTOLOGY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system consists of two groups of reproductive structures also referred to as
genitalia.1. internal genitalia 2.External genitalia.

The internal genitalia consists of:

1. A pair of ovary
2. A pair of fallopian tube
3. Uterus
4. The vagina.
The external genitalia consists of structures on the vulva including the labia majora, labia
minora, clitoris (after vulva) and the mammary glands. Other structures of the female
reproductive system Worthy of note are:
1. The placenta and umbilical cord
OVARY: The ovaries are the female gonads, they produce ova and hormones especially
oestrogen and progresterone. They are almond shaped structures attached to the back of
the broad ligament by a fold of peritoneum called mesovarium. Each ovary measures 3cm
long, 1.5 cm wide and 1cm thick. The surface of the ovary is covered by a layer of simple
cuboidal epithelium called Germinal epithelium which rest on a layer of dense connective
tissue called tunica albuginea, The germinal epithelial is continuous with mesothelium of
peritoneum.
In cross section the ovary has two regions:
1. The cortex (peripherally)
2. The medulla (centrally )
The medulla is made of loose fibro elastic connective tissue containing blood vessels,
lymphatics and nerves. It is continuous with the mesovarium at the hilum (where the
structures enters ). Some cells called hilus cells are present here, which are similar in
characteristics with intestinal cell of leygid in the male testis. They may be a source of
andorgen from the ovary.
The cortex occupies the greater part of the ovary and contains ovarian follicles at
different stages of maturation and degradation. It may also contains corpus luteum and
corpus albican. The follicles are embedded in a cellular connective tissue stroma made
up mainly of large spindle shaped fibroblast cells.
The follicular growth and maturation pass through four stages in a process called
follicular genesis. They are primodal follicle, primary follicle, secondary or central follicle
or mature or graffian follicle.
a) The primordial follicle are the smallest and simplest in structure located at the
peripheral of the cortex each follicle consist of a primary oocyte (20-25
micrometer). In diameter surrounded by a single layer of squamous follicular
cells.
b) PRIMARY FOLLICLE: The primordial follicle changes into the primary follicle
under the influence of FSH as shows the following features:
 Primary oocyte enlarges in size (50-80 micrometer) in diameter
 Flattend squamous follicular cells becomes simple cuboidal and later divides
to form stratified cuboidal granulosa cells (multi lamina primary follicle)
The outermost layer of follicular cells rest on a well defined basement
membrane that seperates it from the ovarian stroma. The oocyte is
seperated from the surrounding follicular cells by a glycoprotein layer called
ZONA PELLUCIDA. The connective tissue stroma surround the follicle begins
to condense and form THECA FOLLICUli
C) SECONDARY FOLLICLE: The primary follicle becomes the secondary follicle
after undergoing the following processes:
 The oocyte enlarges further and reaches its full size (125 million)
 Irregular fluid spaces appear among the follicular cells and coalesce to
form the anthrum filled with a fluid called LIQUOR FOLLICLI
 The follicle increases further in size (2mm) mainly due to the formation
of anthrum and liquor follicle.
 The THECA FOLLICUli differentiate into 2 layer:
 - an internal cellular layer called THECA INTERNAL and
 -an external layer called THECA External follicular cells and cells of the
THECA INTERNAL secretes oestrogen.
D) MATURE/ GRAFFIAN FOLLICLE: With further development, the
FOLLICUli enlarges in size and it's fluid accumulates in the anthrum
dividing the follicular cells into 2 cells:
- an outer sets of cells that lines the cavity to form the membrane
granulosa.
- the inner sets that surrounds the ovum and attach it to one pole of the
follicle called CUMULUS OOPHORUS.
Now the graffian follicle is about 10mm in diameter and is seen bulging
out of the surface of the ovarian cortex.
At mid cycle (about 14-15 days) under the influence of oestrogen,
there's a sudden increase in the amount of LIQUOR FOLLICULI causing
rupture of the mature follicle and release of the secondary oocyte along
with one layer of loose adherent granulosa cells (corona radiata) into
the peripheral cavity. This process is called OVULATION.
Next, Several ovarian follicles stars maturation during each ovarian
cycles but only one attains full maturity and undergoes ovulation, the
other follicles degenerates and becomes arthritic follicle. After ovulation
the wall of the follicle collapses invaginate and is transformed
temporarily into an endocrine organ called CORPUS LUTEUM.
The cells of THECA INTERNA and granulosa cell undergo hypertrophy
and are filled with lipochrome pigments to become lutein cells. These
lutein cells contain lipid droplets, abundant smooth endoplasmic
reticulum and mitochondria which are characteristics of steroid
synthesizing cells. Thus 2 types of lutein cells are seen in the corpus
luteum:
* Granulosa lutein cells that form the predominant cell type of corpus
luteum are derived from granulosa cells. They are large pale staining
cells with vesicular nuclei found at the deeper part of the corpus
luteum. They synthesize and secrete the hormone progesterone.
*Theca lutein cells: these cells are derived from THECA INTERNA cells.
They are much smaller, less numerous and darker than the granulosa
lutein cells..They are found at the periphery and along the connective
tissue strands that invade the structure. These cells secretes oestrogen.
If the released ovum is fertilized, the corpus luteum will survive for 4to 5
months under the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone
(HCG) and is called corpus luteum of pregnancy .
If fertilization doesn't occur, the corpus luteum functions for only 10-12
days and is called corpus luteum of pregnancy.
After it's functional duration, it undergoes regression and is replaced by
a fibrous scar called CORPUS ALBICANS.
UTERINE/FALLOPIAN TUBE
Uterine tubes are paired tube situated in the upper free border of the
broad ligament on either sides of the uterus. It is about 10-12 cm long,
it's lateral end opens in to the peritoneal cavity close to the ovary while
it's medial end opens into the uterine cavity.
Uterine tube nourishes and transports the ovum or zygote to the
uterine cavity.
The cillia of the lining epithelium and the rhythmic contraction of the
muscle layer are responsible for the transport of ovum.
Each uterine tube is divided into 4 part (from lateral to medial):
 Infundibulum
 Ampulla
 Isthmus
 Intraneural part.