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Female Reproductive System Anatomy and Histology

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Female Gross Anatomy

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Uterine Tubes �(Fallopian Tubes)

Receive the ovulated oocyte and provide a site for fertilization
Empty into the superolateral region of the uterus via the isthmus
Expand distally around the ovary forming the ampulla
The ampulla ends in the funnel-shaped, ciliated infundibulum containing fingerlike projections called fimbriae

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Uterine Tubes �(Fallopian Tubes)

Function: events occurring in the uterine tube

Fimbriae sweep oocyte into tube, cilia & peristalsis move it along, sperm reaches oocyte in ampulla, fertilization occurs within 24 hours after ovulation & zygote reaches uterus about 7 days after ovulation

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Female Gross Anatomy

Midsagittal section, Fig. 42.5a

Ovary – female gonad, produces oocytes (immature eggs, or ova—female gametes), estrogens, progesterone - we will talk about the specific areas of the ovary in the histology slide

Oviduct (uterine, or fallopian tube) – tube attached to either side of the cornual end of the uterus, and terminating near an ovary (no actual contact between oviduct and ovary); receives ovulated oocyte; where fertilization occurs; divided into 3 parts;

1. Infundibulum – end of ampulla; an open, funnel shaped structure that has fimbriae

Fimbriae - sex hormones activate the fimbriae, causing it to hit the ovary in a gentle, sweeping motion. An ovum is released from the ovary into the peritoneal cavity and the cilia of the fimbriae sweep the ovum into the Fallopian tube.

2. Ampulla of oviduct – expansion as it curves toward ovary (general region)

3. Isthmus of oviduct - end portion of oviduct that opens into the uterus

Uterus – “womb”, hollow, thick-walled, designed to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilized egg

Cervix – narrow neck/outlet that projects into vagina inferiorly

Cervical canal – cavity of cervix

Vagina - is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body

Round ligament – anchors uterus to anterior body wall

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Fallopian Tube Histology

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Cilia sweep egg/zygote toward the uterus

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Female Gross Anatomy

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Female Gross Anatomy: Breast

(mammary duct)

Colostrum: yellowish, pre-milk fluid produced by the mother’s mammary glands in the first few days after birth; less lactose and fat than milk, but more protein, vitamin A, and minerals, along with antibodies and growth factors

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Female Histology: Ovary

Ovarian hilum

Note: an oocyte matures into a functional ovum/egg only upon penetration by sperm

(containing follicular fluid)

Mature Graafian follicle 250x

Fig. 43.4

Ovarian hilum – where blood vessels from the mesovarium (part of the broad ligament) enter ovary

Corpus luteum – “yellow body”; leftover ruptured follicle, made up of leftover granulosa cells and theca interna cells; secretes progesterone and estrogen; cavity originally filled with blood (corpus hemorrhagicum) but converted to CT

Graafian (vesicular) follicle – mature, late secondary follicle; ready for ovulation

Oocyte – developing/immature ovum (egg) (see note on slide); about 5 million oocytes are present in a fetal ovary, about 600,000 to 800,000 are present at birth, about 400,000 are present at puberty, but only about 400 will be released during a woman’s lifetime (puberty through menopause). Atresia: the spontaneous death and subsequent resorption of immature oocytes.

You are unlikely to see all of these structures in one ovary slide

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Oogenesis

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Female Histology: Ovary

(higher magnification)

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Female Histology: Primordial Follicle

Simple squamous follicular cells lining follicle

No zona pellucida present

Primay Oocyte at this stage

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Female Histology: Primary Follicle

Simple squamous follicular cells have become simple cuboidal

No zona pellucida present

Still a primary Oocyte at this stage

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Female Histology: Secondary Follicle

Stratified cuboidal follicular cells (convert androgens to estrogens but no antrum present

Theca folliuculi has developed (produces androgens)

Zona pellucida present

Still primary oocyte

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Female Histology: Tertiary Follicle

Stratified cuboidal granulosa cells (formerly follicular cells) with antrum present

Theca folliculi well developed

Zona pellucida present

Primary oocyte

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Female Histology: Mature Follicle

Stratified cuboidal granulosa cells with large antrum

Oocyte surrounded by corona radiata sitting on “stalk” of cumulus oophorous

Theca folliculi well developed

Zona pellucida present

Primary oocyte until just before ovulation then Secondary

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Ovary Histology�

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Female Histology: Ovary

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Female Histology: Ovary

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Female Histology: Atretic Follicles of the Ovary

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Uterine Histology

Endometrium

Simple columnar epithelium
Stroma of connective tissue and endometrial glands

Stratum functionalis: Shed during menstruation
Stratum basalis: Replaces stratum functionalis each month

Myometrium

3 layers of smooth muscle

Perimetrium

Visceral peritoneum

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Female Histology: Uterus

(functional layer)

(basal layer)

Note: blood begins to pool in venous sinusoids during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle, forming venous sinuses (lakes), which will ultimately burst in the menstrual phase, with the blood being shed with the functional layer of the endometrium

(endometrial)

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Female Histology: Uterus

Venous sinuses

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Female Histology: Menstrual Stages

Proliferative phase (Week 2) –ovulation at the end (Day 14)

Endometrium thin band of CT

Secretory phase (Weeks 3-4) –

- Endometrium thick and becomes stratified (obvious dark stratum basale region and light stratum functionale)

- Glands corkscrew shape

Menstrual phase (Week 1) –

- Endometrium intermediate height

- Torn upper surface (veins, arteries, and glands exposed)

- Veinous lakes and blood present (reddish)

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Female Histology: Vagina

Deep region of lamina propria (may be considered a submucosa); vascular

Lamina propria

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…and now you know.