ANAT2241 Female Reproductive System

ANAT2241 This practical support page content is not part of the virtual science practical class and provides additional information for student self-directed learning purposes. All practical class pages are located on Moodle - ANAT2241

General Objective

To know the histological and cytological structure of the major organs of the female reproductive system.

Specific Objectives

To describe the microanatomy of the ovary and to identify: peritoneal mesothelium, developing ovarian follicles, Graafian and atretic follicles.
To know the layers of the wall of the uterine tube (Fallopian tube or oviduct).
To know the structure of the uterus and the morphological changes of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
To know the structure of the mammary glands.

Learning Activities

Examine the following virtual slides, and in course manual identify, draw and label the structures listed and note the function.

ANAT2241 Virtual Slides: ANAT2241 Female Reproductive

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.

Parts

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 part - penetrates the wall of the uterus.

The mucosa is smooth, and the inner diameter of the duct is very small.

Histology

Ovary Histology

Tunica Albuginea x20
Tunica albuginea, Germinal epithelium x40
Primary follicle, primordial follicle, oocyte, x40
Secondary follicle, cumulus oophorus, zona pelucida, granulosa cells, oocyte x20
Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, Loupe
Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, x10
Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, x40
Corpus albicans, primary follicle, primordial follicle, granulosa cells, oocyte x20

Ovary histology: Tunica Albuginea x20 | Tunica albuginea, Germinal epithelium x40 | Primary follicle, primordial follicle, oocyte, x40 | Secondary follicle, cumulus oophorus, zona pelucida, granulosa cells, oocyte x20 | Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, Loupe | Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, x10 | Corpus luteum, theca lutein cells, granulosa lutein cells, x40 | Corpus albicans, primary follicle, primordial follicle, granulosa cells, oocyte x20 | Menstrual Cycle | Ovary Development

Menstrual Histology

Menstrual Cycle - Histology (images are listed in sequence and uterine endometrium from dilatation and curettage)

Uterine Endometrium: menstrual | mid-proliferative | late proliferative | secretory | late secretory

Vaginal Smear: early proliferative | mid-proliferative | late proliferative | secretory | late secretory

Links: Menstrual Cycle - Histology | Menstrual Cycle | Papanicolaou stain

Course Links

Moodle - ANAT2241 - 2019

Histology Glossary: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ANAT2241 Support | Histology | Histology Stains | Embryology Glossary

Common Histology Stains

Histology Stains - Common Stains and Their Reactions
Stain	Nucleus	Cytoplasm	Collagen	RBCs	Other
Haematoxylin	blue	-	-	-	mucins - light blue
Eosin	-	pink	pale pink	bright red	colloid - pinkmuscle - red
Iron Haematoxylin	blue/black	-	-	-
Van Gieson	-	brown/yellow	red	yellow	muscle: yellow/browncartilage - pink
Verhoeff's Elastin	black	-	-	-	elastic fibres - black
Tartrazine	-	yellow	yellow	yellow
Silver Impregnation	-	-	grey/brown	-	reticular fibres - black
Methyl Green	dark green	light green	light green	green
Nuclear Fast Red	red	pink	pink	pink
Gomori's Trichrome	purple/red	purple	green	red	keratin - redmuscle - purple/red
Heidenhain's Azan	red	purple/red	deep blue	red	muscle - red
Osmium Tetroxide	-	-	brown	brown	myelin, lipids - black
Alcian Blue	-	-	-	-	mucins, - blue
Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)	-	-	pink	-	mucins, glycogen, glycocalyx - magenta
Phosphotungstic Acid-Hematoxylin (PTAH)	blue	-	red	blue	muscle bands - blue
Masson's Trichrome	blue/black	red	green/blue	red	cartilage, mucins - blue or green; muscle - red
Luxol Fast Blue	-	-	-	variable	myelin - blue
Aldehyde Fuchsin	-	-	-	-	elastic fibres, mast cells - deep purple
Light Green	-	-	light green	-
Gallocyanin	dark blue	-	-	-	nucleic acids, Nissl granules - dark blue
Romanowsky (e.g. Leishman's)	blue	pink			acidophils - red, basophils - blue, azurophilic - purple
Aldehyde Pararosanilin					elastic fibres - purple

Haematoxylin and Eosin
One of the most common staining techniques in pathology and histology. Acronym "H and E" stain. (H&E, HE).
Haematoxylin Stains nuclei blue to dark-blue. Stains the matrix of hyaline cartilage, myxomatous, and mucoid material pale blue. Stains myelin weakly but is not noticeable if combined with eosin stain. combined with Orange G (H & Or. G.) instead of eosin, specifically stains the granules of acidophilic cells of the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary).	Eosin Stains cytoplasm pink to red; red blood cells are also bright red. Common counterstain to hematoxylin. Stain intensity varies with the formula as well as the fixative.

Practical Support

Pages can be accessed from any internet connected computer.

ANAT2241 This practical support page content is not part of the science practical class and provides only background information for student self-directed learning purposes.

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, April 18) Embryology ANAT2241 Female Reproductive System. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/ANAT2241_Female_Reproductive_System

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