Medical School Histology Basics

Female Reproductive System

VIBS 243 lab

Larry Johnson Texas A&M University

 OBJECTIVE Ref code
#5

To learn the structure of the

ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, cervix,
and vagina

To learn how these organs contribute

to the many functions of the female
reproductive system

To learn how hormones

regulate and/or orchestrate
the female reproductive
processes
 Outline Ref code
# 18

General structure of the ovary

Follicular development

Fallopian tube
Uterus/Cervix/Vagina

Hormonal orchestration
Fertilization/ Pregnancy
Lactation
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Ref code
#6
 Function Ref code
#9

The ovaries cyclically secrete steroid

hormones and periodically release ova, the
female gametes.

Ova production
Ova and sperm transportation
Microenvironments for fertilization
Implantation and fetal-placental growth
Nourishment and support of
offspring
Postnatal repetition
Ref code
# 18
 Ref code
#6
OVARY
GENERAL STRUCTURE
• GERMINAL EPITHELIUM
• TUNICA ALBUGINEA
• MEDULLA
• CORTEX
FUNCTIONAL
OVERVIEW
ORIGIN OF
GERM CELLS
Ref code
#5
Ref code
#5
Ref code
#5
174 Ovary, monkey Cortex
Medulla
Ref code
#5

Tunica albunginea

Germinal epithelium

Primordial and
primary follicles
280 Secondary
follicle Ovary Primordial and

Primary follicle

Oocyte

Follicular cells
Tunica albunginea

Cortex
Germinal
epithelium

Theca folliculi.

Granulosa cells of thestratum granulosum

 FOLLICLE Ref code
# 12

MATURATION
PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLES
• OOCYTE
• FOLLICULAR
(GRANULOSA) CELLS

174
 FOLLICLE Ref code
# 12

MATURATION
174
175
Ova

PRIMARY FOLLICLE
• ZONA PELLUCIDA
• STRATUM
GRANULOSUM
• THECAL FOLLICULI
• CALL-EXNER
BODIES
 FOLLICLE Ref code
# 12

MATURATION 175
Granulosa
cells
• SECONDARY
(ANTRAL)
FOLLICLE
FOLLICULAR FLUID
MEMBRANA
GRANULOSA
CUMULUS OOPHORUS
CORONA RADIATA
THECA INTERNA
THECA EXTERNA
 FOLLICLES Ref code
# 12

Graafian follicles.
FOLLICLE
MATURATION
GRAAFIAN Membrane
granulosa
FOLLICLE

172
 DEMO SLIDE BOX 194 – (380) Ovary, cat. follicular epithelium
Cells of the corpus luteum oocyte
THECA LUTEIN
CELLS of a different ovary cumulus
oophorus. theca interna

granulosa
lutein cells, theca externa

primordial follicles
THE CELLS OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM ARE LUTEIN
CELLS AND MOST OF THEM ARE FORMED FROM THE
GRANULOSA (FOLLICULAR) CELLS THAT REMAIN
AFTER OVULATION. THE THECA INTERNA CELLS ALSO
FORM SOME OF THE LUTEIN CELLS ( THEY FORM THE
SMALLER LUTEIN CELLS, CALLE THECA LUTEIN CELLS) theca externa Several primary
theca interna follicles

tertiary surface
medulla (vesicular) epithelium
follicles
cortex
Ovary
Oocytes, follicular cells, and surrounding connective tissue

172
EM 25: early primary follicle
1. Cytoplasm of primary oocyte
2. Zona pellucida
3. Follicular cell
ATRESIA OF FOLLICLES Slides 268 and
268
280
280

280

Death of the oocyte and collapse

of the zona
pellucida. (not shown)
Separation and
pyknosis of granulosa
cells
“Glassy membranes"
 Ref code
# 6, 20

OVULATION
 Ref code
# 20

After
OVULATION,
the
CORPUS LUTEUM
DEVELOPS FROM
REMAINS OF
FOLLICULAR WALL
AFTER OVULATION
 Ref code
#5

Ovary, corpus luteum

Granulosa lutein cells, secrete 1. Granulosa lutein
progesterone, the predominant 2. Theca lutein
postovulatory steroid. 3. Central clot
170 Corpus luteum of ovary Ref code
# 12

268
Corpus luteum and corpus albicans of ovary Ref code
#5

170

Corpus
albicans

Corpus
luteum
 Corpus luteum
175

282
173
Ovary - corpus albican

Corpus albican
 Ref code
# 6, 12

HORMONES ORCHESTRATE
THE PROCESS
OOGENESIS - FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Ref code
OF OVA #6

MITOSIS (OOCYTOGENESIS) – OOGONIA

– PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT (RUMINANTS, RODENT,
SWINE, HUMAN)
– POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT (CARNIVORES)
OOGENESIS - FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
OF OVA Ref code
#6

MEIOSIS – OOCYTES
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
MATURATION ARREST (DICTYATE
STEP OF MEIOTIC PROPHASE)
LATER DEVELOPMENT
SYNCHRONIZED WITH
DEVELOPMENT AND MATURATION
OF FOLLICLES
DIVISION
• FIRST MEIOTIC DIVISION –
REDUCTION DIVISION –
FIRST POLAR BODY
• SECOND MEIOTIC DIVISION –
EQUATIONAL DIVISION –
SECOND POLAR BODY
MEIOSIS

Zygote
 MEIOSIS (ONLY IN SPERMATOGENESIS AND Ref code
#1

OOGENESIS)
EXCHANGE OF GENETIC MATERIAL IN
HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES
(LEPTOTENE, ZYGOTENE, PACHYTENE, AND
DIPLOTENE STEPS OF DEVELOPMENT)

PRODUCES HAPLOID CONDITION OF GAMETES

 Ref code

Female
OOGENESIS # 13

Primordial follicles

birth

174
OOGENESIS
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# 5, 13

birth

Primordial follicle

Unfertilized egg
Meiosis advances with
follicular development

Plus

Zygote
 Follicular development - OOGENESIS
Ref code
synchronized with # 5, 13

gamete development
Type Germ cell type
Primordial primary oocyte Birth
Primary primary oocyte

Secondary primary oocyte

Mature follicle primary/secondary oocyte Follicular development

and ovulation
Unfertilized egg Zygote

Plus

Activation of egg by sperm

Shedding of polar body
at the end of meiosis
FALLOPIAN TUBE (OVIDUCT OR UTERINE TUBE) Ref code
# 6, 13

SEGMENTS
• INFUNDIBULUM
WITH FIMBRIAE
• AMPULLA
• ISTHMUS
• INTRAMURAL
SEGMENT
Ovary and infundibulum The infundibular portion is open to the
peritoneal cavity and has numerous finger-
like fimbriae which are richly vascularized.
268

179
Ovary

The fimbriae are lined with

simple columnar ciliated
epithelium

Infundibular portion

268
 Ampulla of oviduct Secretory cells
Ref code
Labyrinthine structure of #6
the mucosal folds of the
ampulla region

Ciliated cells 472

472

Fimbriated
end

179

Muscularis
Contractions of these muscles are
important for movement of the fertilized
egg in the tube.
Ref code
#5
 PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE Ref code
#4

OVERVIEW
MENSTRUAL PHASE: DAYS 1-4
PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
– EARLY: DAYS 4-7
– LATE: DAYS 7-14
SECRETORY PHASE:
– EARLY: DAYS 15-21
– LATE: DAYS 21-28
MENSTRUATION
DECIDUAL REACTION
 UTERUS Ref code
#6

GENERAL STRUCTURE
PERIMETRIUM
MYOMETRIUM
ENDOMETRIUM
ZONA BASALIS
ZONA
FUNCTIONALIS
SPIRAL ARTERIES
 (missing)
Ref code
GENERAL STRUCTURE # 4, 5

PERIMETRIUM
MYOMETRIUM 177
ENDOMETRIUM
ZONA BASALIS
ZONA
FUNCTIONALIS
 UTERUS Endometrium consists of tubular glands
surrounded by stromal connective tissue.
The uterus is composed of
1) a mucosa, the endometrium,
2) a large smooth muscle layer, the myometrium and
3) an outer serosa, the perimetrium

275
Mesothelium

Zona
Functionalis Zona
Basalis
 UTERUS

Myometrium
• 1. Zona Basalis: The moderately thin zone at
the bottom of the endometrium that interdigitates
with the myometrium. Here the stroma is very
compact and cellular and surrounds the bases of
the glands. This layer does not respond to
hormones and provides the structures from
Endometrium,

which the entire endometrium is regenerated

every month.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

• 2. Zona Functionalis: The large zone above

the Zone Basalis to the surface. The stroma
(connective tissue) surrounding the glands is
more loosely arranged. This layer does respond
to ovarian hormones and much of it is shed
during menstruation and discharged from the
vagina.
ZONA FUNCTIONALIS The endometrium Ref code
# 19
SPIRAL ARTERIES

177
The Menstrual Cycle:
Using a 28-day cycle, with day one representing the first day of menses
(bleeding) and day 14 the time of ovulation, the phases of the cycle are as
follows: 1. Menstrual phase: Occupies the first four days during which the
functional zone is shed in tissue fragments.
2. Phase of repair, or early proliferative phase: Days 4-7
3. Phase of rapid growth, or late proliferated phase: Days 7-14
4. Luteal, or secretory phase: Days 15-28, often divided into roughly
equivalent early and late phases. 176
275
473 274

Early proliferative Late Proliferative Early Secretory Late Secretory

Very Late Secretory Spiral arteries became
increasingly tortuous
phase
181

Glands

. The decidual reaction = stromal cells

have become larger with more voluminous
cytoplasm.
HORMONES ORCHESTRATE
Ref code
#4
THE PROCESS
Ref code
# 13
acrosome reacted

intact
 Ref code

OVIDUCT #9
 Uterus with about
10 day old fetus – only
the placental
membranes are shown

Myometrium
Endometrium,
Perimetrium
 Ref code

CERVIX #5

VAGINA
ENDOCERVIX
– CERVICAL MUCUS
EXTERNAL OS
ECTOCERVIX
VAGINA
STRUCTURAL
COMPONENTS
EPITHELIUM
 CERVIX
External os

Smooth muscle
180

Ectocervix =
junction of the
differing types of
epithelia occurs at
478 the external os
Stratified squamous
epithelium

Endocervix (canal of the cervix) is covered by a

simple columnar epithelium of mucous-secreting cells that lines deep crypts.
 VAGINA
The tubular vagina has a thick wall consisting of a
multilayered epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis and
serosa. The vagina has no glands and lubrication
comes from serum exudate during sexual activity

Serosa. 480

178

Muscularis

Lamina propria,

Multilayered epithelium
NOURISHMENT and Ref code
# 11

PROTECTION of
OFFSPRING
 Ref code
# 6, 9, 11

Uterus, late secretory

1. Decidual cells
2. Spiral arteries
 Ref code
#6

EM 26; trophoblast, 20,000x

1. Nucleus
2. Microvilli
3. Tubular cristae
 hemochorial placenta = human placenta
Ref code
#6

273
hemochorial placenta
A type of placenta having the maternal blood in direct contact
with the chorionic trophoblast. 273
Ref code
# 18
 Ref code
#6

123
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CLASSIFICATION
 Ref code
# 18
NOURISHMENT AND
PROTECTION OF
OFFSPRING
411 Nipple
410 Breast
482
Breast, pregnancy
482 Breast, pregnancy
182

Breast during pregnancy

HORMONES ORCHESTRATE THE PROCESS Ref code
#4
Ref code
# 5, 18
In summary
 Many illustrations in these VIBS Histology YouTube videos were modified
from the following books and sources: Many thanks to original sources!

1. Alberts, et al., 1989. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2nd Edition. Garland Publishing, Inc. New York. ISBN 0-8240-3695-6.
2. Alberts, et al., 1994. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 3nd Edition. Garland Publishing, Inc. New York. ISBN 0-8153-1619-4.
3. Bloom, W. and Fawcett, D.W., 1968. A Textbook of Histology. 9th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia. Library of Congress
#67-17445.
4. Elias, H. et al., 1978. Histology and Human Microanatomy. A Wiley Medical Publication. John Wiley & Sons, New York. ISBN 0-471-
04929-8.
5. Eroschenko, V. 2000. Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations. 9th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia. ISBN 0-
7817-2676-X.
6. Fawcett, D.W., 1986. Bloom and Fawcett. A Textbook of Histology. 11th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia. ISBN 0-7216-
1729-8.
7. Fawcett, D.W., 1986. Bloom and Fawcett. A Textbook of Histology. 12th Edition. Chapman and Hall. New York. ISBN 0-412-04691-1.
8. Guyton, A.C. 1971. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 4th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia. Library of Congress # 74-
118589.
9. Ham, A.W. 1974. Histology. 7th Edition. J.B. Lippincott Company. Philadelphia. ISBN 0-397-52062-X.
10. Ham, A.W. and Cormack, D.H. 1979. Histology. 8th Edition. J.B. Lippincott Co. Philadelphia. ISBN 0-397-52089-1.
11. Junqueria, et al., 1995. Basic Histology. 8th Edition. Appleton and Lange. Norwalk, Connecticut. ISBN 08385-0567-8.
12. Junqueira, et al., 1998. Basic Histology. 9th Edition. Appleton and Lange. Stamford, Connecticut. ISBN 0-8385-0590-2.
13. Knobil, E. et al. 1988. The Physiology of Reproduction. Volume 1. Raven Press. New York. ISBN 0-88167-281-5.
14. Langley, et al., 1974. Dynamic Anatomy and Physiology. 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York. ISBN 0-07-036274-2.
15. Mescher, A.L., 2010. Junqueira’s Basic Histology Text and Atlas. 12th Edition. McGraw Hill Medical. New York. ISBN 978-0-07-160431-
4.
16. Tuttle, W.W. and Schottelius, B.A. 1969. Textbook of Physiology. 16th Edition. The C.V. Mosby Company. Saint Louis. Library of
Congress # 75- 89848.
17. Varner, D. et al. 1991. Diseases and Management of Breeding Stallions. American Veterinary Publications. Goleta, California. ISBN 0-
939674-33-5.
18. Von Hagens, Gunther and A.Whalley, 2007. Body Worlds – The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies. ISBN 978-3-937256-04-7
19. Weiss, L. 1983. Histology: Cell and Tissue Biology. 5th Edition. Elsevier Biomedical. New York. ISBN 0-444-00716-4.
20. Weiss, L. and Greep, R. 1977. Histology. 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York. ISBN 0-07-069091-X.
Questions Female Reproductive System
1.The female reproductive system produces ova, transports ova and sperm, provides a
microenvironment for fertilization, implantation of the fetal-placenta growth, and provides
nourishment and protection post-natally. To accomplish these functions in constant
repetition, coordination of organs is paramount. Examples of this coordination include:
a. ovarian hormonal orchestration of the endometrial cycle
b. ovarian hormonal feedback to the hypothalamus
c. ovarian and pituitary orchestration of mammary gland development and lactation
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c

2. Oogenesis differs from spermatogenesis in:

a. gonadal hormones that regulate the function of accessory sex organs
b. cyclic nature of function of the ducts attached to the gonad
c. the temperature of gonad
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c

3. Features of the fallopian tube include:

a. ciliated epithelium on its luminal surface
b. divisions known as the infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus
c. lymph vessels to add rigidity to the numerous finger-like fimbriae
d. a and b
e. a, b, and c
The end of