Female Reproductive Tract Anatomy
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Questions and Answers

Which structure of the broad ligament directly supports the ovary?

  • Mesometrium
  • Mesosalpinx
  • Mesovarium (correct)
  • Utero-ovarian ligament

    • What is the primary function of the ovary?

  • Storage of sperm
  • Production of male gametes
  • Production of female gametes and hormones (correct)
  • Secretion of testosterone

    • What does the mesosalpinx primarily support?

  • The uterus
  • The ovary
  • The cervix
  • The oviduct (correct)

    • Which of the following describes the mesometrium?

    <p>It supports the uterine horns and body of the uterus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the utero-ovarian ligament?

    <p>It attaches the ovary to the uterus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the broad ligament is described as a serous membrane?

    <p>Mesosalpinx</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following hormones is NOT produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary?

    <p>Testosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tunica albuginea?

    <p>The connective tissue surface of the ovary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the corpus luteum in the ovarian cortex?

    <p>It secretes progesterone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the ovarian medulla?

    <p>It contains dense connective tissue and houses vasculature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which species do the ovarian cortex and medulla have their positions reversed?

    <p>Mare</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the ovarian cortex?

    <p>To support the growth and maturation of oocytes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term refers to the degeneration of the corpus luteum?

    <p>Corpora albicantia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process describes the maturation of immature follicles into candidates for ovulation?

    <p>Folliculogenesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can follicles be palpated in mares, but not corpora lutea?

    <p>Corporas lutea penetrate into ovarian tissue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function is NOT typically associated with the ovarian cortex?

    <p>Site of ovulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of follicle is characterized by having an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened cells?

    <p>Primordial follicle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a secondary follicle?

    <p>It contains multiple layers of follicle cells without an antrum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name given to a tertiary follicle when it becomes a dominant preovulatory follicle?

    <p>Graafian follicle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the muscularis layer in the female reproductive tract?

    <p>To contract and facilitate the transport of secretory products and gametes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the submucosa layer in the female reproductive tract?

    <p>Houses nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What layer surrounds and supports the antral follicle?

    <p>Theca externa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant role does the theca interna play in the development of the follicle?

    <p>It expresses receptors for luteinizing hormone to produce androstenedione.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which epithelial type lines the lumen of the oviduct?

    <p>Ciliated and non-ciliated simple columnar epithelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What anatomical structure is formed by the fusion of peritoneum during embryonic development?

    <p>Broad ligament</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic feature of an antral follicle?

    <p>Presence of an antrum or fluid-filled cavity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what stage does the reproductive tract push into the abdominal cavity?

    <p>As embryonic development advances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do granulosal cells primarily produce in the ovarian follicle?

    <p>Estrogen, inhibin, and follicular fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure is the thick translucent layer surrounding the oocyte in a secondary follicle?

    <p>Zona pellucida</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the outer layer of the female reproductive tract appear morphologically?

    <p>A single-cell layer of squamous cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the retroperitoneal position in relation to the reproductive tract?

    <p>Situated behind the peritoneum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the broad ligament play in the female reproductive system?

    <p>It supports and suspends various reproductive structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a simplex uterus?

    <p>Absence of uterine horns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about bicornuate uteri?

    <p>They open into the vagina through a single cervical canal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the uterus is responsible for contractions during parturition?

    <p>Myometrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested about the term 'bipartite' in the classification of mammalian uteri?

    <p>It should be dropped from the nomenclature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the endometrium within the uterus?

    <p>To secrete materials that enhance embryo development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the perimetrium?

    <p>It is the serosal layer that is continuous with the peritoneum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a bicornuate uterus from a simplex uterus?

    <p>Incompletely fused paramesonephric ducts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the uterus is primarily responsible for the maternal contribution to the placenta?

    <p>Endometrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Female Reproductive Tract Anatomy

    • The female reproductive tract is composed of a series of tubes organized in concentric layers: serosa (outer), muscularis, submucosa, and mucosa (inner).

    • Serosa: A single-cell layer of flattened squamous cells covering the reproductive tract surface.

    • Muscularis: A double layer of smooth muscle, with an outer longitudinal layer and an inner circular layer. This allows for contraction, essential for transporting secretory products and gametes.

    • Submucosa: A layer of varying thickness that contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.

    • Mucosa: The inner lining of the reproductive tract, lined with secretory epithelium, varying in type depending on the location. For example, the oviduct has ciliated and non-ciliated simple columnar epithelium, while the posterior vagina has stratified squamous epithelium.

    Embryonic Development & the Broad Ligament

    • The reproductive tract develops in a retroperitoneal position, behind the peritoneum, the connective tissue lining of the abdominal cavity.
    • During embryonic development, the tract grows and pushes against the peritoneum, eventually becoming completely surrounded by it.
    • A portion of the peritoneum fuses to form the broad ligament, a double-layered connective tissue sheet that supports and suspends the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, and anterior vagina.

    Components of the Broad Ligament

    • Mesovarium: The anterior portion of the broad ligament that supports the ovary and houses its blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves, forming the hilus of the ovary. An additional supportive ligament, the utero-ovarian ligament (or ovarian ligament), attaches the ovary to the uterus.
    • Mesosalpinx: A serous part of the broad ligament surrounding and supporting the oviduct. This delicate part serves as a bursa-like pouch around the ovary, helping to orient the infundibulum to capture ova released during ovulation.
    • Mesometrium: The largest and most conspicuous part of the broad ligament, supporting the uterine horns and body of the uterus. The dorsal portion of the mesometrium is continuous with the dorsal peritoneum, essentially causing the uterus to "hang" from the dorsal body wall.

    Ovarian Structures and Function

    • The ovary is an ovoid structure responsible for producing female gametes (ova) and hormones estrogen and progesterone. The corpus luteum (CL) also produces oxytocin, relaxin, inhibin, and activin.
    • The ovary is composed of an outer connective tissue surface called the tunica albuginea, covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells called the germinal epithelium (which is not involved in the production of germ cells).
    • The ovarian cortex lies beneath the tunica albuginea and houses oocytes, developing follicles, the functional corpus luteum (CL), and the degenerating corpora lutea known as corpora albicantia.
    • Corpora lutea ("yellow bodies") are large, conspicuous structures that produce progesterone.
    • Corpora albicantia are the white, degenerated remnants of corpora lutea.
    • The central part of the ovary is the ovarian medulla, composed of dense connective tissue and containing the vasculature, nerves, and lymphatics.

    Ovarian Structures in the Mare

    • The mare's ovary presents several unique characteristics:
      • The ovarian medulla and cortex are reversed (cortex inside, medulla outside).
      • Ovulation occurs at only one location, the ovulation fossa, unlike other mammals where ovulation occurs at random locations.
      • Follicles can be palpated per rectum, but corpora lutea cannot because they do not protrude significantly from the surface.

    Folliculogenesis and Types of Follicles

    • The process of immature follicles developing into mature follicles is known as folliculogenesis.
    • There are four types of follicles within the ovary:
      • Primordial follicles: Microscopic, the most immature follicles, surrounded by a single layer of flattened cells.
      • Primary follicles: Slightly more advanced, with an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal cells.
      • Secondary follicles: Microscopic, with two or more layers of follicle cells but without an antrum (cavity). The oocyte is surrounded by a zona pellucida.
      • Antral follicles: Contain a fluid-filled cavity called the antrum. This type can be visible to the naked eye as blister-like structures on the ovary.
      • Graafian follicle: A dominant preovulatory antral follicle.

    Antral Follicle Layers

    • Antral follicles consist of three distinct layers:
      • Theca externa: Composed of loose connective tissue, supporting the follicle.
      • Theca interna: Expresses receptors for luteinizing hormone (LH), producing androstenedione, a precursor for estrogen production by the granulosa cells.
      • Granulosa cell layer: Produces estrogen, inhibin, and follicular fluid. These cells also play a role in oocyte maturation.

    Uterine Classifications

    • Uteri are classified based on the presence and length of uterine horns:
      • Bicornuate: Short or long uterine horns. Found in sows, bitches, queens, cows, and mares.
      • Simplex: Single uterine body with no horns, found in primates, including humans.

    Uterine Components and Functions

    • The uterus is composed of three layers:
      • Perimetrium (serosa): Outer serosal layer, part of the peritoneum, continuous with the mesosalpinx.
      • Myometrium (muscularis): Smooth muscle layer, responsible for uterine motility, particularly during parturition.
      • Endometrium (mucosa + submucosa): Inner layer that secretes materials to enhance embryo development and sperm viability.

    Key Functions of the Uterus

    • Sperm transport
    • Luteolysis and control of cyclicity
    • Environment for preattachment embryo
    • Maternal contribution to the placenta
    • Expulsion of the fetus and fetal placenta

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    Reproductive Physiology PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricate anatomy of the female reproductive tract, including its layered structure and specific functions of each layer. Delve into embryonic development and the supporting broad ligament that plays a crucial role. This quiz covers essential aspects of female reproductive health and development.

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