36 Questions
What is the function of the uterus in the female reproductive system?
To hold and support the fetus throughout development until birth
What type of epithelium covers the surface of the ovaries?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
What is the region of the ovary that contains loose connective tissue and blood vessels?
Medulla
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
To transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from surrounding tissue?
Basal lamina
What is the function of the ovaries in the female reproductive system?
To produce female gametes
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
Tunica albuginea
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
Cortex
What is the characteristic of follicular cells in primordial follicles?
Flattened cells
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
It marks a clear boundary between the follicle and the stroma
What happens to the oocyte during follicular growth?
It grows and increases in size
What is the name of the structure that forms between the oocyte and the innermost layer of granulosa cells?
Zona pellucida
What is the role of aromatase in granulosa cells?
It converts androstenedione into estradiol
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
Hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and proteoglycan
What is the difference between a unilaminar primary follicle and a multilaminar primary follicle?
The number of layers of granulosa cells
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death?
Atresia
What is the role of the theca interna?
It secretes androstenedione
What is the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
Antrum
What is the primary function of the tunica albuginea in the ovary?
To provide a dense layer of connective tissue that supports the ovary
What is the main component of the ovarian cortex?
Stroma of highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles
What is the function of the germinal epithelium in the ovary?
To cover the surface of the ovaries
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from the surrounding tissue?
Basal lamina
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
Cortex
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
To transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus
What is the main component of the ovarian medulla?
Loose connective tissue and blood vessels
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
Tunica albuginea
What is the main function of the zona pellucida?
To facilitate communication between granulosa cells and the oocyte
What is the primary function of the theca externa?
To provide structural support to the follicle
What is the distinguishing feature of a multilaminar primary follicle?
Multiple layers of granulosa cells
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
Hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and proteoglycan
What is the name of the process by which primordial follicles undergo growth and development?
Folliculogenesis
What is the function of the aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells?
To convert androstenedione into estrogen
What is the name of the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
Antrum
What is the characteristic of the oocyte in primordial follicles?
Large nucleus with chromosomes in prophase I
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
To act as a barrier against the stroma
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death in the ovary?
Atresia
Study Notes
Components of the Female Reproductive System
- The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
- The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
- The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
- The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
- The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.
Functions of the Female Reproductive System
- Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
- Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
- Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
- Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.
Ovaries
- The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
- The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
- Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
- The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
- The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
- The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.
Structure of Ovarian Follicle
- An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
- The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
- Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
- The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.
Follicular Growth and Development
- Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
- Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
- Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.
Oocyte Differentiation
- Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
- Increase in mitochondria.
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
- Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
- Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.
Follicular Development
- Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
- Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
- Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
- Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
- Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.
Atresia
- Involves programmed cell death.
- During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
- Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.
Components of the Female Reproductive System
- The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
- The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
- The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
- The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
- The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.
Functions of the Female Reproductive System
- Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
- Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
- Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
- Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.
Ovaries
- The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
- The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
- Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
- The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
- The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
- The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.
Structure of Ovarian Follicle
- An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
- The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
- Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
- The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.
Follicular Growth and Development
- Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
- Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
- Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.
Oocyte Differentiation
- Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
- Increase in mitochondria.
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
- Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
- Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.
Follicular Development
- Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
- Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
- Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
- Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
- Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.
Atresia
- Involves programmed cell death.
- During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
- Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.
This quiz covers the different parts of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia. Learn about the functions of each component and how they work together.
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