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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the medulla in the ovary?
What is the term for the process by which one or more primordial follicles undergo maturation during each reproductive cycle?
What is the function of the tunica albuginea in the ovary?
What is the term for the layer of specialized epithelial cells that surrounds the oocyte in an ovarian follicle?
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What is the function of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the ovary?
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What is the term for the structure in which the oocyte is surrounded by a layer of follicular cells and sits on an aggregate of granulosa cells?
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What is the term for the thick glycoprotein layer located at the interface between the oocyte and the granulosa cells?
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What is the term for the layer of large, pale-staining, spindle-shaped cells that are steroid-producing/metabolizing cells?
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What is the primary function of the corpus luteum (CL) during the menstrual cycle?
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What hormonal receptors do follicular cells acquire for corpus luteum development?
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What is the result of the involution of the corpus luteum?
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Which characteristic is true about the luteinization process in the corpus luteum?
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What happens to the majority of follicles during the reproductive cycle?
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Which species's corpus luteum contains a yellow pigment called lutein?
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What are the three sections of the oviduct (uterine tube)?
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Why is the corpus luteum also called 'yellow body'?
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What is the main role of the fimbriae of the infundibulum in the oviduct?
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Which structure in the oviduct primarily promotes sperm capacitation?
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What is the function of the cilia in the oviduct?
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What is a key function of the placenta during embryonic development?
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Which of the following best describes the mucosa layer of the oviduct?
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What characteristic of the uterus is essential for the development of the conceptus?
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How do non-ciliated cells in the oviduct contribute to the ovum's survival?
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What role does the serosa layer of the oviduct play?
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What is a primary function of the placenta concerning fetal development?
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Which of the following describes an epitheliochorial placenta?
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What defines the tertiary follicle in the ovarian follicle development?
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What is the role of mammary glands in the female reproductive system?
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Which stage in the estrus cycle is characterized by the onset of ovulation?
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In which of the following does the hemochorial placenta allow for nutrient exchange?
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What does the process of follicular atresia refer to?
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Which type of placentation involves the maternal blood supply being entirely separated from the fetal chorion?
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What is the primary function of the uterus during embryonic development?
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Which structure in the oviduct primarily promotes sperm capacitation?
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What type of placenta involves the maternal blood supply being entirely separated from the fetal chorion?
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What is the term for the process by which follicles undergo degeneration during the reproductive cycle?
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Which stage of ovarian follicle development is characterized by a thickened zona pellucida and a fully formed antrum?
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What is the main role of the fimbriae of the infundibulum in the oviduct?
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Which type of placenta is characterized by the maternal blood supply coming into direct contact with the fetal chorion?
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What is the primary function of the oviduct during the reproductive cycle?
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What is the term for the layer of specialized epithelial cells that surrounds the oocyte in an ovarian follicle?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of epitheliochorial placentas?
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Study Notes
Female Reproductive System
- The female reproductive system consists of:
- Ovaries (bilateral)
- Oviducts (Fallopian/uterine tubes)
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
- External genitalia (vestibule, vulva)
- Associated glands
- Mammary gland (covered in integumentary system)
Ovaries
- Produce the female gametes (ova) through oogenesis
- Have an endocrine function, producing sex hormones (mainly estrogens and progesterone)
- Structure:
- Cortex: broad peripheral zone containing follicles in various stages of development
- Medulla: contains connective tissue, nerves, blood, and lymph vessels
- Species differences:
- In the mare, the cortical tissue is focused around the ovulation fossa
Ovarian Follicles
- Contain an oocyte surrounded by specialized epithelial cells
- Structure varies depending on stage of development
- Types:
- Primordial follicles: primary oocyte enclosed by flattened, simple squamous follicular cells
- Primary follicles: primary oocyte enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells
- Secondary follicles: oocyte enclosed by several layers of follicular cells
- Tertiary follicles: follicle becomes larger, with small liquid-filled areas (antrum) between granulosa cells
Oviduct (Uterine Tube)
- Muscular tube from ovary to uterus
- Functions:
- Receives the ovum and directs it into the oviduct lumen
- Provides a favorable environment for fertilization
- Transports the zygote to the uterus for implantation
- Structure:
- Tunica muscularis: inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
- Serosa: contains blood vessels and nerves
- Mucosa: epithelium is columnar with motile cilia on most cells, and non-ciliated cells with secretory granules
Uterus
- Functions:
- Provides a sterile and inert environment for development of the conceptus
- Enables nutrient/oxygen/waste exchange via the placenta
- Structure:
- Endometrium: mucosa divided into two zones (functional and basal)
- Myometrium: smooth muscle layers (inner circular and outer longitudinal)
- Perimetrium: serosa
Cervix
- Thick-walled, muscular structure
- Functions:
- Provides a seal that prevents organisms and substances from entering the cranial vagina
- Acts as a gatekeeper, holding the products of conception within the uterus until parturition
- Structure:
- Endocervix: lined by simple columnar epithelium with mucus-secreting cells
- Ectocervix: lined by stratified squamous epithelium
Vagina
- Fibro-muscular tube with three layers: mucosa, muscularis, and serosa/adventitia
- Mucosa:
- Epithelium is stratified squamous with patches of simple columnar epithelium and mucus-producing cells
- Rugae: numerous folds separated by channels of variable depth
- Cyclical changes in vaginal epithelium:
- Height of epithelium and degree of keratinization vary with hormonal fluctuations during the estrous cycle
Ovaries
- Ovaries have two major functions: producing female gametes and sex hormones
- Ovarian structure consists of cortex (broad peripheral zone containing follicles) and medulla (connective tissue, nerves, blood, and lymph vessels)
- Species differences exist in ovarian structure, such as the mare having reversed cortical and medullary tissue
Ovary Cortex
- Lined by a low cuboidal epithelium (germinal/surface epithelium)
- Tunica albuginea: a layer of connective/fibrous tissue
- Contains numerous follicles with oocytes in different stages of development
Follicular Development
- Folliculogenesis occurs upon sexual maturity, with one or more primordial follicles maturing during each reproductive cycle
- Follicular growth and maturation depend on follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) from the adenohypophysis (pituitary gland)
Ovarian Follicles
- Contain an oocyte surrounded by specialized epithelial cells
- Size, content, and wrapping of the follicle vary depending on the stage of development
Follicle Stages
- Primordial follicles: primary oocyte enclosed by flattened, simple squamous follicular cells; retained in a resting stage since fetal ovary formation
- Primary follicles: primary oocyte enclosed by a simple cuboidal layer of follicular cells; start forming after puberty (FSH, LH)
- Secondary follicles: oocyte enclosed by several layers of follicular cells; oocyte completes meiosis; follicular cells proliferate through mitosis and are called granulosa cells
- Tertiary follicles: follicle becomes larger, with small liquid-filled areas appearing between granulosa cells (antrum); granulosa cells acquire receptors for FSH
- Mature (Graäfian) follicle: secondary oocyte detaches from the cumulus oophorus and floats free in the follicular fluid; ready to ovulate
Corpus Luteum (CL)
- Forms from the follicle after ovulation; blood into antrum forms corpus hemorrhagicum
- Granulosa and theca cells transform into luteal cells (hypertrophy and hyperplasia)
- CL is a temporary endocrine organ that secretes progesterone and estrogens in response to FSH and LH
- In some species, luteal cells contain a yellow pigment (lutein)
Corpus Albicans (CA)
- Involution of the corpus luteum results in a fibrous scar called corpus albicans
Follicular Atresia
- Majority of follicles do not ovulate and degenerate; oocyte, zona pellucida, and follicular cells degenerate and are resorbed
Oviduct (Uterine Tube)
- Muscular tube from ovary to uterus with 3 sections: infundibulum with fimbriae, ampulla, and isthmus
- Functions include transporting the oocyte and providing a site for fertilization
Female Reproductive System
- Consists of ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, external genitalia, and associated glands
- Major functions include production of female gametes, endocrine function, reception of male gametes, provision of a suitable environment for fertilization and fetal development, and nutrition of the newborn through the mammary gland
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Description
Test your knowledge of the uterus anatomy, including the different layers and their functions. Learn about the muscles of the uterus and their role in childbirth.
