FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM HISTOLOGY

Wednesday November 19

INTRODUCTION
2 major processes occur within the ovaries
1. Oogenesis transformation of female germ cells (oogonia) into mature ova
2. Folliculogenesis maturation of an ovarian follicle

After puberty, oogenesis and folliculogenesis occur

simultaneously

The ovary consists of an outer cortex and inner medulla

Cortex contains ovarian follicles at various stages of maturation
Medulla heavily vascularized, fibroelastic CT

The surface of the ovary is covered with simple squamous to

cuboidal epithelium called the germinal epithelium
Thick, white capsular layer surrounding ovary is called the tunica
albuginea

OVARY
Within the ovaries, follicles are
concentrically arranged in cortex
Differing stages of follicular
development throughout
As oocytes mature, they expand in
cortex and push through tunica
albuginea
There is a layer of germative cells
(cuboidal epithelium) that surround
the tunica albuginea

Primordial follicles located in cortex of ovary

OVARY
Oocytes are centrally placed in primordial follicle
Women are born with 500,000 follicles
Ideally, only one follicle is selected per ovulation

Primordial Primary Secondary Graafian

OVARY
Follicle Maturation:
Simple squamous cells surround primordial follicle, then granulosa cells
become cuboidal in appearance when follicle matures to the primary follicle
Primary follicle

Starting to become
primary

Primary
follicles
(cuboidal)

Primordial
follicles
(squamous)

Primordial Primary Secondary Graafian

OVARY
Follicle Maturation:
The primary follicle becomes the secondary follicle
Egg cloud or cumulus oophorous = mound of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte
Antrum forms - can see colloid inside (fluid produced by granulosa and thecal cells)

Colloid pool
(antrum)

Primordial Primary Secondary Graafian

OVARY
Follicle Maturation:
Secondary follicle
Cumulus oophorus = egg cloud
Extra protection for oocyte during travel of the oocyte through fallopian tube

Cumulus
oopherus
Oocyte
Granulosa cells

Primordial Primary Secondary Graafian

OVARY
Tertiary follicle = Graafian follicle
This is the follicle that will ovulate
Only one (or maybe two)!

The only difference between a large

secondary follicle and a Graafian follicle
is that the granulosa cells stop dividing in
the Graafian follicle.

The Graafian follicle contains the primary

oocyte.

OVARY
Degenerating secondary follicle (atretic follicle) never ovulated
Remnants of zona pellucida
Look like intensely stained fibrous rings
Stick around for a while and make ovary less effective

Atretic
follicles

OVARY
Normal cell death (NOT necrosis)
Degeneration of granulosa cells

OVARY
After fertilization and implantation,
follicle becomes corpus luteum
Production of additional hormones
progesterone to support
growth of fetus
Placenta will eventually take over
role of hormone production

OVARY
Corpus luteum

OVARY
More pregnancies more corpus luteum more scarring (corpus albicans)

OVARY
Summary:
Development of the follicle

UTERINE TUBE
2 types of epithelial cells
Ciliated columnar cells primary,
helps move oocytes toward body of
uterus
Non-ciliated peg cells

Layers of uterine tube

Loose CT of serosa
Simple squamous mesothelium
Muscularis disorganized
Mucosa

UTERINE TUBE
Watch out! Uterine tube can be confused with other structures, including the vas
deferens!
Uterine tube

Vas
Deferens

UTERUS
This is the layer that
sloughs off during
menses

Endometrium epithelial layer and

underlying lamina propria
This is the only layer that changes based
on hormone secretion
Phases:
Functional layer engorged with blood (ideal location
for embryo)
Stratum functionalis is maintained and placenta
grows into this
If implantation is not successful, larger blood
vessels in stratum functionalis, cells undergo
necrosis and slough off
Exposed arteries in stratum basal
Stratum functionalis starts growing again

Myometrium and Serosa do NOT

change

S.
functionalis
S. basale

UTERUS
Glands
Lacuna blood cavities that
develop, provide nutrients to
embryo

UTERUS
3 phases:
1.
2.
3.

Menstrual phase endrometrium sloughs off

Proliferative phase increasing space and
vasculature to prepare for implantation
Secretory phase columnar appearance of uterine
glands, embryo needs nutrients provided by
endometrium

CERVIX
Epithelium and muscular wall changes
Stratified squamous epithelium protection
from abrasive forces (i.e. penis during
intercourse)
Thicker smooth muscle
Smaller endometrium

Barrier prevents fetus from leaving too

early and keeps fetus held in place

Nabothian cysts blocked glands, full

of colloid; critical once amniotic sac
breaks to provide lubrication to help
baby come out

CERVIX
Uterus
epithelium
(columnar)

Endocervix closer to
baby (uterus), columnar
epithelium
Ectocervix closer to
vagina, stratified
squamous

Glands
of
uterus
Vagina epithelium
(stratified squamous)

Nabothian
cyst

VAGINA
Layers
Surrounded by
adventitia (non-moving
organ)
Separates from rectum and
urinary bladder

Muscularis layer
Lamina propria

MAMMILLARY GLANDS
Fatty with lots of ducts = lactating

Not those
kind of ducks!