Slide 1-3 Female Genital Tract Chapter Pathology Lab Group Handout Created By Shanojan Thiyagalingam October 31,

2013 Note: (Red Bold Font= super important; black bold font=important)

Endometrium
-Functional region- changes dramatically during the course of each cycle - lost if pregnancy does not occur -Basal region- close to myometrium, retained during menstruation, stem cells for the functional region, provides for next cycle

1) Menstrual phase
Cycle: -coincides w/ corpus luteum degeneration and decline in ovarian hormone production (ie: low progesterone so endometrium not maintained) Timing: -days 14 Hormone: -loss of progesterone from corpus luteum Morphology: Functional Layer: -functional layer sheds -less progesterone bind spiral arterys progesterone receptorspasms of contraction and relaxation of the coiled arteriesdistal segments of spiral arteries ischaemia distal segments of spiral arteries necrosisruptures walls glandular epithelium degenerate and flooding stroma with blood detaching the functional layer dislodging necrotic tissue -appears as eroding, hemorrhagic endometrial surface w/ disintregrating stroma and glands Basal Layer: -short Straight arteries intact -do not undergo prolonged vasoconstriction -no sloughing, no necrosis

2) Proliferative (follicular) phase

Cycle: -coincides w/ follicular maturation Timing: -days 4 to 14; number of days can vary -following menstrual phase cessation of menstruation -fastest growth in 2nd week of the phase Hormone: -ovarian estrogen initiates endometrial proliferation: Morphology: Functional layer:

-significant thickening of functional layer occurs -stromal, endothelial, epithelial cell in stratum basale proliferate rapidly: mitotic -stromal cell secrete collagen and ground substance; compact, nonedematous -epithelial cell in basal portion of gland reconstitute gland and migrate to cover the denuded endometrial surface -spiral arteries lengthen as endometrium reestablished (thickens); only slightly coiled and dont extend into upper third of endometrium -glands more narrow lumen and relatively straight with slightly wavy (relatively straight) appearance; increased length and girth -accumulate of glycogen in basal portion of epithelial cells lining gland (appear empty via slide prep) -no secretions into glandular lumen

3) Secretory (luteal) phase

Cycle: -coincides w/ corpus luteum Timing: -days 15-28; more constant: 14 days -commences with ovulation Hormone: -progesterone from corpus luteum maintains endometrium to support implantation upto 10 days Morphology: Functional layer: -endometrium attains its greatest height: amplification of stromal volume/hypertrophy of epithelial cells associated with stromal edema, increased vascularity, secretion by endometrial glands causing gland dilation thickening of the endometrium -further endometrial thickening and glands enlarge coiled corkscrew shape glands -gland lumen filled with secretory products (mucoid fluid: rich in nutrients, glycogensupport development if implantation occur) dilated gland -accumulate of glycogen in basal portion of epithelial cells (appear empty via slide prep) -Spiral arteries: more coiled, lengthen further into superficial aspects of functional layer of endometrium