Histology Of The Female Reproductive Tract

Front 1

what are the four main regions of the oviducts

Back 1

- fimbriae

- infundibulum

- ampulla

- isthmus

Front 2

describe the mucosa of the oviducts

Back 2

- highly folded but varies throughout length of the oviduct eg ampulla more folded than isthmus

mucosa:

- endosalpinx, columnar epithelial cells

submucosa:

- myosalpinx, smooth muscle, connective tissue, vessels

Front 3

what type of cells does the epithelium of the oviducts contain

Back 3

- ciliated and non-ciliated cells

ciliated cells:

- highly motile

- extend into lumen

- %age of ciliated cells decreases towards isthmus, max in fimbriae and infundibulum

non-ciliated cells:

- secretory cells

- contain granules, which secrete components of lumen fluid

- apical surface covered in microvilli

Front 4

what is the function of the ciliated cells in the oviduct

Back 4

the action of their beating enables oocyte with cumulus cells (layer of cells that has to be penetrated for fertilisation to occur) to be striped from surface of collapsing follicles

they beat in synergy with the oviduct contractions meaning that the oocytes are in constant rotation helping the oocyte and sperm come together

Front 5

what are the three histological layers of the uterus

Back 5

1. perimetrium

2. myometrium

3. endometrium

Front 6

describe the perimetrium layer of the uterus

Back 6

- serous layer (tunica serosa)

- supportive layer

- connective tissue, smooth muscle, vessels, nerves

Front 7

describe the myometrium layer of the uterus

Back 7

- thick muscular layer

- outer thin layer of longitudinal smooth muscle

- middle vascular layer

- inner thick layer of circular smooth muscle

- contractions in synergy with oviducts

Front 8

describe the endometrium layer of the uterus

Back 8

- glandular mucous membrane

epithelium:

- simple, columnar (mare, bitch, queen)

- simple, stratified columnar

- epithelial cells relatively tall during oestrus, but become low and cuboidal a couple of days after oestrus

- uterine glands - widespread except in ruminants where they are absent from the caruncular areas

- varies in thickness and vascularity with stage of cycle and gestation

Front 9

describe the histological structure of the cervix

Back 9

- fibrous, elastic, smooth muscle, connective tissue, thick wall, constricted lumen

epithelium:

- simple,columnar

- mucous secreting - secretions vary throughout cycle

Front 10

what are the three histological layers of the vagina

Back 10

1. tunica adventitia

2. tunica muscularis

3. tunica mucosa

Front 11

describe the tunica adventitia layer of the vagina

Back 11

- serous layer of connective tissue and longitudinal smooth muscle

Front 12

describe the tunica muscularis layer of the vagina

Back 12

inner, thick circular smooth muscle and outer thinner longitudinal smooth muscle

Front 13

describe the tunica mucosa layer of the vagina

Back 13

- glandless, stratified squamous epithelium

- 2-3 layers during anoestrus/prepubertal but multiple layers during oestrus

- superficial layers cornify (keratinised) but not much in ruminant and depends on stage of cycle

- microridges on surface of vaginal cells aid firmness of vagina (copulation and parturition)

Front 14

describe the different observations seen in the reproductive tract during anoestrus, proestrus, oestrus and dioestrus

Back 14

Front 15

what is responsible for the bloody discharge seen from the vagina during proestrus

Back 15

high E2 levels which leads to capillary breakdown and leakage through the uterine epithelium

Front 16

other side shows the histological appearance of the tubular tract during anoestrus, proestrus, oestrus and dioestrus

Back 16

Front 17

what characteristic change in epithelial cells of the reproductive tract marks dioestrus

Back 17

decline in number of cornified (keratinised) epithelial cells