Chapter 23: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

  1. What is the difference between an oocyte and ovum?
  1. How does the surface of the ovary differ before and after puberty?
  1. In which region of the ovary are follicles located?= smooth, after = scarred & irregular due to ovulations
  1. What is the germinal epithelium and why is this term a misnomer?
  1. In males and females, where do primordial germs cells originate?
  1. What and where is the tunica albuginea?
  1. At what stage of meiosis are oocytes arrested?
  1. Define atresia.
  1. How can the oocyte within a follicle be identified histologically?
  1. How are primordial follicles distinguished from growing follicles? (Hint: characterize the follicular cells).
  1. What changes constitute the transition from a primordial follicle to a primary follicle?
  1. What is the zona pellucida and at which stage of follicular development does it become apparent?
  1. How is the zona pellucida identified in H&E material?
  1. What is the difference between follicular cells and granulosa cells?
  1. What two layer of cells forms just external to the basal lamina of the follicle?
  1. What do cells of the inner layer secrete?
  1. What types of cells comprise the theca externa?
  1. Where are cortical granules found and what is do they contain?
  1. What event coincides with the transition from a primary follicle to a secondary (antral) follicle?
  1. How does the antrum form?
  1. What is the name of the fluid with secondary follicles?
  1. What is the cumulus oophorus? The corona radiata? ties coalesce forming a single, cresent shaped antrumn deeper cortexs in a primary follicle.
  1. How does one recognize a Graffian follicle histologically?
  1. Which cell(s) are released from the mature follicle at ovulation?
  1. What is the fate of androgens secreted by theca interna cells in the Graafian follicle stage?
  1. What two cells are formed by the completion of Meiosis I just before ovulation?
  1. What is secreted by granulosa and theca cells after the LH surge?
  1. What is the macula pellucida and by what other name it is known?
  1. What is an ectopic pregnancy (a.k.a. ectopic implantation)?
  1. Where is the first meiotic division completed?
  1. Anatomically, what is the major problem in a polycystic ovary that impedes ovulation? (See Folder 23.1)
  1. Histologically, how does one recognize a fertilized egg?
  1. What is the fate of the granulosa cells and theca cells once a Graafian follicle has released the secondary oocyte?
  1. Why do luteal cells appear yellow in fresh material?
  2. What are the two types of luteal cells? Which of these are smaller and more darkly stained.
  1. What is secreted by the corpus luteum?
  1. What hormone is essential for the survival of the corpus luteum beyond 10-12 days?
  1. What is the fate of the corpus luteum if fertilization and implantation does not occur? How is the corpus albicans involved?

Fertilization is not covered in this course.

  1. At what stage of development may a follicle undergo atresia?
  1. What structure is characteristic of growing follicles in the later stages of atresia and appears at the former boundary of the granulosa cells and the theca interna?

Study Folder 23.3 on page 846 which shows the relative timing of events in the ovaries, the blood, and the uterus and the hormonal fluctuations that coordinate these events.

  1. What are the synonyms for the oviducts?
  2. What three layers comprise the wall of the uterine tube?
  1. What are the names and functions of the simple columnar cells of the uterine tube mucosa?
  1. What layers comprise the wall of the uterus? Which of these undergo cyclic changes each month?
  1. How do myometrial smooth muscles change during pregnancy?
  1. During pregnancy, what is the source of additional smooth myofibers in the myometrium?
  1. What are the two zones (strata) of the endometrium? Which is lost during menstruation?
  1. Classify the epithelium lining the lumen of the uterus.
  1. What is another name for the lamina propria of the uterus?
  1. How do uterine glands form?
  1. In anatomical order, what types of arteries are found in the endometrium? Which undergo cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle?
  1. What is the nane of the special type of large diameter capillary is found in the endometrium?
  1. What are the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle and how are they related to the ovarian cycle?
  1. What are the histological characteristics of the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle? What hormone drives these changes?
  1. What is the configuration of the uterine glands near the end of the proliferative phase?
  1. What are the histological characteristics in the endometrium of the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle? What is the appearance of uterine glands? What hormone is mainly responsible?
  1. How is the aging corpus luteum involved in endometrial ischemia at the onset of the menstrual phase?
  1. How is the endometrium restored during the proliferative stage following menstruation?
  1. Explain how a uterine biopsy can determine whether there as been an anovulatory cycle.

Implantation is not covered in this course.

  1. How does the activity change in cervical glands at the time of ovulation? What purpose might this serve?
  1. What changes in nuclear morphology of the squamous cells in a Pap smear may be indicative of precancerous conditions? (Folder 23.5 p. 862)

The placenta is not covered in this course.

  1. What type of epithelium lines the lumen of the vagina? Is it normally keratinized?
  1. As the vagina contains no glands, how is the surface of the vagina lubricated?
  1. How can the inactive mammary gland be recognized histologically?
  1. What is responsible for the enlargement of the breast during pregnancy?
  1. What is the difference between apocrine and merocrine secretions?
  1. What influence does estrogen have on breast tissue?
  1. What influence does progesterone have on breast tissue?
  1. What hormone from which gland stimulates which target cells to eject milk?