BGDA Practical - Female Reproductive Tract Histology

Introduction

Developing antral follicle in the Ovary

This current page provides background support information for Medicine phase 1 BGD Histology Practical Virtual Slides. Page does not form part of the BGDA practical class virtual slides.

Virtual Slides: Female Histology

Uterine Tube

(oviduct, fallopian tube)

• uterine tube acts as a conduit for the oocyte, from the ovaries to the uterus.
• consists of a mucosa and a muscularis.
• peritoneal surface of the oviduct is lined by a serosa and subjacent connective tissue.

Mucosa

• ciliated and secretory epithelium resting on a cellular lamina propria.
• number of ciliated cells and secretory cells varies along the tube.
• secretory activity varies during the menstrual cycle, and resting secretory cells are also referred to as peg-cells. Some of the secreted substances are thought to nourish the oocyte and the very early embryo.

Muscularis

• inner circular muscle layer and an outer longitudinal layer.
• inner longitudinal layer is present in the isthmus and the intramural part.
• peristaltic muscle action for the transport of spermatozoa and oocyte.

Tube Regions

infundibulum	ampulla	isthmus	intramural
funnel-shaped (up to 10 mm in diameter) end of the oviduct. Finger-like extensions of its margins, the fimbriae, are closely applied to the ovary. Ciliated cells are frequent.	mucosal folds, or plicae, and secondary folds which arise from the plicae divide the lumen of the ampulla into a very complex shape. Fertilization usually takes place in the ampulla.	narrowest portion (2-3 mm in diameter) of the tube located in the peritoneal cavity. Mucosal folds are less complex and the muscularis is thick. An inner, longitudinal layer of muscle is present in the isthmus.	penetrates the wall of the uterus. The mucosa is smooth, and the inner diameter of the duct is very small.

• infundibulum - funnel-shaped (up to 10 mm in diameter) end of the oviduct. Finger-like extensions of its margins, the fimbriae, are closely applied to the ovary. Ciliated cells are frequent.
• ampulla - mucosal folds, or plicae, and secondary folds which arise from the plicae divide the lumen of the ampulla into a very complex shape. Fertilization usually takes place in the ampulla.
• isthmus - narrowest portion (2-3 mm in diameter) of the tube located in the peritoneal cavity. Mucosal folds are less complex and the muscularis is thick. An inner, longitudinal layer of muscle is present in the isthmus.
• intramural - penetrates the wall of the uterus. The mucosa is smooth, and the inner diameter of the duct is very small.