BGDA Practical - Female Reproductive Tract Histology
From Embryology
Introduction
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.