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
- Draft page (notice removed when completed).
Objectives
- Gain an overview of the microanatomy of the female reproductive system.
- Undertake a microscopical examination of the ovary, oviduct, uterus, cervix, vagina and mammary
glands. The functional significance of the various histological structures identified will be discussed.
Ovary
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. |
Uterus
- parts - body (upper two-thirds) and cervix.
- walls - mucosal layer, the endometrium, and a fibromuscular layer, the myometrium.
- peritoneal surface of the uterus is covered by a serosa.
Myometrium
- smooth muscle fibres form several layers with preferred orientations.
- muscular tissue hypertrophies during pregnancy.
- GAP-junctions between cells become more frequent.
Endometrium
- simple columnar epithelium (ciliated cells and secretory cells) and an underlying thick connective tissue stroma.
- mucosa is invaginated to form many simple tubular uterine glands.
- glands extend through the entire thickness of the stroma.
- stromal cells of the endometrium are embedded in a network of reticular fibres.
Menstrual cycle
- hormones alter the endometrium.
- only the uterus body mucosa takes part in the menstrual cycle.
- endometrial layers (based on changes)
- basalis - remains during menstruation, functions as a regenerative zone for the functionalis.
- functionalis - lost during menstruation, functions as the site of cyclic changes in the endometrium.
- Links: Menstrual Cycle - Histology