4.

Histology of the Female Reproductive

19

INTRODUCTION

The female reproductive system is grouped

into:
A. Internal genitalia
• Ovaries (2)
• Oviducts (2)
• Uterus
• Vagina

B. External genitalia (Vulva) – can be

seen in the vestibule
• Clitoris Figure 1. Organs of the Female Internal
• Labia majora and minora Genitalia
• Some accessory glands that open
into vestibule[a] of external
genitalia.
[a]
Vestibule is the space into which the orifices of
the urethra and vagina open.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Menstrual Cycle (Page 1)

2. Development of the Female Gamete (Page 2)
3. Internal Genitalia (Page 3)
a. Ovary (Page 3)
b. Oviduct (Page 8)
c. Uterus (Page 10)
d. Vagina (Page 14)
4. Mammary Glands (Page 15)
5. Implantation & Placentation (Page 18)
6. Histology of Placenta (Page 20)
7. Placental Hormones (Page 20)
Figure 2. Female Pelvic Cavity, Sagittal
Section

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

• Cyclical changes in structure and function • PURPOSE

of organs of reproductive system, o Ensures mature ovum (female
especially gamete) is periodically available for
o Ovaries (Ovarian cycle) fertilization
o Uterus (Endometrial cycle) – changes o If fertilization occurs, results in a
are more profound in the endometrium. successful pregnancy.

• Occur in sexually mature, non-pregnant Length of the cycle: variable (average = 28

female in response to hormonal and neural days) from woman to woman; even to the
stimuli. same woman, it varies.

TRANSCRIBERS: GRP 14A (Bantolinao, Guillermo, Ignacio, Jabola, Pagkalinawan, Roa) 1

SUBTRANSHEAD: RJ BELTRAN ft. YNA RISMA
 PRIMORDIAL GERM CELL

OOGONIUM

PRIMARY OOCYTE

SECONDARY OOYTE

FERTILIZED OVUM

1. Primordial germ cell

- Arise from endoderm of yolk sac
between the 2nd - 8th weeks of
Figure 3. Menstrual Cycle intrauterine life (IUL)
- migrates to developing ovaries; mitosis
along the way
Menstruation - in ovary, differentiates into oogonium
o The most notable manifestation
of the cycle. 2. Oogonium
o Vaginal bleeding that lasts for 3- - precursor cells that differentiated from
5 days (also variable in primordial germ cells by the end of 5th
duration). week
• First day of menstrual cycle = first day - in ovary, further mitosis
of menstruation (Why? This is the day - end of 3rd month IUL, oogonia start to
easiest to ascertain.) transform to primary oocytes (bigger
• Menarche - first ever menstruation. cells) that cannot divide anymore.
• Menopause - end of menstruation which - end of 7th month of IUL, all oogonia have
on average occurs at age 52 transformed into primary oocytes.
• The cycle repeats over and over again -
and only interrupted by pregnancy. 3. Primary oocyte
- must undergo two meiotic divisions (like
sperm cell)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEMALE GAMETE - immediately starts meiosis I, but arrested
ü The earliest recognizable stem cells of in diplotene stage of prophase (dictyotene
both male and female gametes are the phase)
primordial germ cells. - at birth, about 2 million in both ovaries;
ü These cells arise from the endoderm of all in prophase stage
the yolk sac between 2nd to 8th weeks of - at puberty, only about 400,000 still viable
intrauterine life. - meiosis I is not completed by any oocyte
ü Starting 4th week of IUL, these cells until sexual maturity
begin to migrate to developing gonads, - only one primary oocyte completes
undergoing mitosis along the way. meiosis I per menstrual cycle
- completion of meiosis I
§ occurs just before ovulation
o st
§ gives rise to 2 oocyte & 1 polar
body

4. Secondary oocyte
- haploid - as a product of meiosis I
- immediately starts meiosis II
- meiosis II arrested in metaphase stage

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 - completed only if cell is fertilized located medulla. The cortex contains
- gives rise to fertilized ovum & 2nd polar ovarian follicles.
body
• paired, slightly flattened, ovoid organs
NOTE: (3 cm x 1.5cm x 1cm)
• Primary Oocyte – gives rise to first • Functions:
polar body o produce ova (site of oogenesis)
• Secondary Oocyte – gives rise to o secrete female hormones
second polar body • Epithelium
o simple squamous (most of the
time) or cuboidal
5. Fertilized ovum or Zygote o a.k.a. germinal epithelium (early
histologists thought that it is the
INTERNAL GENITALIA source of female germ cells)
• Capsule
ü Ovaries o called tunica albuginea
ü Oviducts - dense connective tissue
ü Uterus - beneath epithelium
ü Vagina • Parenchyma
A. Cortex
OVARY • Thick, peripheral zone
• Contain numerous
OVARIAN FOLLICLES
that are supported by
stroma of collagenous
connective tissue
B. Medulla
• Vascular (richly supplied
with blood vessels),
central zone
• loose connective tissue

OVARIAN FOLLICLE
- Components:
§ developing ovum / female gamete
§ cells and stroma that surround
ovum
- Number:
§ about 2 M at birth
§ about 400,000 at puberty

- At puberty, pituitary gland starts to

secrete FSH and LH
§ these hormones trigger the start
of menstrual cycle (ovarian cycle
as it applies to ovary)
§ some follicles are allowed to
develop per cycle

Figure 4. Ovary. The parenchyma of the OVARIAN CYCLE

ovary consists of two regions: a peripherally - cyclical structural and physiological
located cortex that surrounds the centrally changes that ovarian follicle and

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 surrounding stroma undergo during
menstrual cycle.

- Follicular phase (First 14 days)

• first half of cycle
• controlled by FSH

- Luteal phase (Last 14 days)

• second half of cycle
• controlled by LH

Stages of Development

1. PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE

2. PRIMARY FOLLICLE
Figure 5. Primordial Follicle. The follicles are
3. SECONDARY FOLLICLE made up of an oocyte that exhibits a
prominent nucleus and a single layer of
flattened granulosa that surrounds the
1. Primordial follicle oocyte
- Components:
• During childhood, some
§ primary oocyte primordial follicles develop
§ diameter = 15-30 mm into primary follicles, but
§ large, eccentrically placed, all degenerate
vesicular nucleus with large • In sexually mature female,
nucleolus up to 15 primordial follicles
§ Prominent Golgi apparatus, develop into primary
numerous mitochondria, follicles per cycle
ribosomes and endoplasmic
reticula 2. Primary Follicle
- Components:
§granulosa cells (follicular epithelial § Primary Oocyte
cells) § grows bigger
• Single layer of § Zona Pellucida
squamous epithelial ü appears when oocyte 2x
cells original size
• Flattened cells ü thick, deeply staining,
• Resemble ordinary glycoprotein membrane
connective tissue ü product of oocyte and
cells follicular cells
• Rest on thin basal ü through it, follicular cells
lamina provide nourishment for
- Number oocyte (gap junctions
§ 2 M at birth between microvilli of
§ 400,000 at puberty oocytes and cytoplasmic
- Diameter = about 40 micrometer processes of granulosa
cells)
§ Granulosa Cells (follicular
epithelial cells)

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 § first cuboidal then, columnar,
then stratified
§ follicular fluid or liquor folliculi
appear between cells when
stratified
§ Theca Folliculi
§ sheath formed by
stroma that
surrounds follicle
§ later differentiates
to theca interna &
externa

Figure 7. Primary and Primordial Follicles

3. Secondary Follicle (Antral Follicle)

- follicle with antrum (confluence of fluid-
filled spaces between granulosa cells)
- Typically, oval in shape which has a
stratified epithelium consisting of
granulosa cells
- Cumulus oophorus
§ thickening on one side of follicle
§ oocyte is at center
Figure 6. Primary Ovarian Follicle, Early.
- oocyte - still primary oocyte until just
A primary ovarian follicle in its early stage of
before ovulation
development is shown in this section. The
- theca folliculi
granulosa cells form a simple columnar
§ theca interna
epithelium around the oocyte which has a
§ cells, under influence of LH,
centrally-located nucleus. Between the oocyte
secrete androstenedione, a
and the granulosa cells is a deeply staining
testosterone precursor
membrane, zona pellucid. External to the
§ androstenedione seeps into
granulosa layer, the cells have differentiated
granulosa cell area and is
to form a theca folliculi.
transformed into estrogen
through action of enzyme,
aromatase
§ theca externa
§ outer fibrous layer

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 follicle. At one pole of the follicle, note the
cumulus oophorus which consist of granulosa
cells. In the center of the cumulus oophorus is
the oocyte with its distinctive nucleus. The
nucleus is separated from the granulosa cells
by the zona pellucid. External to the granulose
cell layer, there are the two layers of theca
folliculi.

- about 10-14 days for ovarian follicle to

mature
- Graafian follicle
• term for mature secondary follicle
• diameter = 1.5-2.5cm
• oocyte is secondary oocyte.

At the time that the ovarian follicle has

matured, a sudden surge of LH occurs

The said event stimulates the primary oocyte in
the secondary follicle to continue and to
complete the first meiotic division.
At the start of an ovarian cycle, several
primordial follicles (up to 15) begin
development
• Heralded by an increase in size of the
flattened granulosa cells
• CUBOIDAL (initially, already termed as
primary follicle) -> COLUMNAR ->
STRATIFIED (due to repeated mitosis)
• First few days of development
independent of FSH

Secondary Follicle is the only one, the dominant
follicle; matures.
• Dominant follicle
• probably elaborated protein
(follicular regulatory protein)
that prevents other follicles
from getting stimulated by FSH
• Releases its ovum into
abdominal cavity during
ovulation

OVULATION
• release of mature ovum that is ready
for fertilization into abdominal cavity
Figure 8. Secondary Ovarian Follicle. An • on or about day 14 of ideal 28-day
ovarian follicle with an antrum that is filled ovarian cycle
with liquor folliculi is referred to as secondary

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 • triggered by sudden surge in LH • triggers completion of second meiosis
secretion • nucleus of 2o oocyte and sperm cell
• LH surge also caused primary oocyte in approach each other
secondary follicle to complete meiosis I • nuclei fuse
earlier. • fertilized ovum (zygote) is formed + 2nd
o When the ovum is released by polar body
the ovary, it carries with it the • cleavage starts (mitotic division of the
zona pellucida and one to several zygote) - *morula *blastula
layers of granulosa cells that
cling to the zona pellucida. In summary, fertilization:
o These granulosa cells are ü Restores normal number of
collectively referred to as corona chromosomes in the zygote.
radiata ü Determines sex of the fetus.
ü Initiates cleavage.

At ovulation, ovum is extruded into abdominal

cavity and the remainder of follicle transforms
into a CORPUS LUTEUM

CORPUS LUTEUM

Figure 9. Recap of Menstrual Cycle.

FERTILIZATION
Figure 10. Corpus Luteum
• union of male and female gametes
• mature ovum (secondary oocyte) viable • under influence of LH, cells of theca
for about 24 hrs. interna and granulosa layer and
• fertilization must occur in abdominal transform to lutein cells
cavity or upper part of the oviduct o enlarge
(usually, distal 3rd) o accumulate lipid
o become plump, pale-staining and
acrosomal reaction: acrosome of sperm cell polygonal
breaks down and releases enzymes
Theca interna
• enzymes disperse cells of corona - theca lutein cells
radiate - produce estrogen and some amount of
• sperm penetrates zona pellucida progesterone
• zona becomes impermeable to any - estrogen produced during second half is
other sperm cell almost equal to that of first

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
Granulosa Layer
- granulosa lutein cells
- 80% of the cells
- larger and lighter-staining
- main source of large amounts of
progesterone

• corpus luteum of menstruation

o lasts for about 14 days
o maintained by LH

• corpus luteum of pregnancy

o huge & functional for about 6
mos.
o maintained mainly by hCG
(human chorionic gonadotropin)
from syncytiotrophoblasts of Figure 11. Atresia of Follicles
developing conceptus)
o also elaborates relaxin
§ most likely by granulosa
OVIDUCT
lutein cells
§ inhibits uterine muscle
contraction.

• with decrease in hormones

o lutein cells get loaded with lipid
and degenerate
o corpus luteum replaced by scar
tissue called corpus albicans that
gradually disappears after
months to years.
Figure 12. Oviduct
Atresia of Follicles
• process of degeneration of follicles
• a.k.a. Fallopian tube.
• more than 99% of ovarian follicles do
• a pair of muscular tubes (about 12 cm
not reach maturity
long)
• can occur at any stage in development
• Functions:
of follicle
ü serves as passageway
o for ovum on way to uterus
glassy membrane
o for sperms on way to
- thickened basal lamina between
fertilizing ovum
granulosa cell layer and theca interna.
ü nourishes ovum while ovum is in
transit

• Segments of the Oviducts

1. Infundibulum
2. Ampulla
3. Isthmus
4. Pars interstitialis

Infundibulum
• Funnel-shaped

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 • related to ovary and opens to on its way to the
peritoneal cavity uterus
• margins provided with processes
(fimbriae)

Ampulla
• comprise the 2/3 of the length

Isthmus
• narrow and slender
• connects tube to the uterus

Pars interstitialis
• part within the uterine wall

• HISTOLOGY

Figure 14. Fallopian tube, 400x. The

mucosa of the oviduct consists of a ciliated
simple columnar epithelium

• lamina propria
o cellular connective tissue
which is richly supplied
with blood and lymphatic
vessels
o no true glands

2. Muscular Layer
Figure 13. Histologic layers of Oviducts
• Outer layer = longitudinally-
arranged smooth muscle cells
1. Mucosa • Inner layer = circularly or spirally
- forms fold in ampullary area that arranged
become shorter and less complex
3. Serosa
proximally
- because enveloped by
peritoneum
• epithelium - simple columnar
- Contains a plexus of nerves from
w/ 2 cell types
where fibers pass inwards to
o Ciliated
supply the muscle and mucosal
§ cilia beat toward
layers
uterus
- Richly supplied with blood and
§ important role in
lymphatics
transport ovum
o Nonciliated (peg cells)
• EFFECTS OF HORMONES
§ secretion nourishes
• during first half of menstrual
ovum
cycle
§ provides the
• ciliated cells increase in number
conceptus with
and height
nutritive material as
• at mid-menstrual cycle
it traverses the
• ciliated cells tallest
length of the oviduct
• ciliary beat accelerates

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 • nonciliated cells become stratified squamous epithelium of the portio
secretory vaginalis of the cervix (exocervix).
• later in cycle
• progesterone favors loss of cilia - differs from corpus uteri in structure
• in last few days of cycle - mucosa: forms folds called plicae
• very few cells are ciliated palmatae
• many of secretory cells are - epithelium: simple columnar that becomes
atrophic. non-keratinized stratified squamous at
external os
- lamina propria: glands (cervical glands)
UTERUS tubular but branched
• Pear-shaped, dorsoventrally flattened, - contains very few smooth muscle cells
hollow, pelvic organ - mainly collagenous and elastic fibers
• Size in non-pregnant adult: 6.5cm x - functions:
3.5cm x 2.5cm o forms part of birth canal during
• Function: Receives and nourishes parturition or birth delivery
conceptus throughout its development. o helps prevent entry of
microorganisms into uterus, at
• Parts: other times during mid-cycle
o glands help lubricate vagina
1. Body or corpus uteri • effects of hormones
• fundus – part of corpus above o cyclic changes more pronounced
attachment of oviducts in glands than in epithelium
o during mid-cycle
2. Cervix (inferior) § secretions copious, thin
• portio vaginalis (exocervix; and watery
ectocervix) § favors migration of sperm
o part that protrudes into cells
vagina o rest of cycle
• endocervix § secretion is highly viscous.
o rest of cervix
3. Isthmus
• constriction marking boundary
between corpus and cervix
4. uterine cavity
• cavity of corpus uteri
5. cervical canal (endocervical canal)
• cavity of cervix
• internal os - communication
with uterine cavity
• external os - communication
with vaginal canal; marks the
cervical cavity and the vagina

• Histologic Layers

Figure 15. Transitional Area between

Endocervix and Exocervix. At the
epithelial junction, the simple columnar
epithelium that characterize the endocervix,
abruptly changes into the nonkeratinized

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 • Uterine Artery
• Arcuate Artery - penetrates
myometrium; give off branches
to basal layer; main vessels
proceed to functional layer
• Helicine Artery - a.k.a. coiled
or spiral a.; very tortuous;
supply functional layer

Figure 16. Histologic Layers of the Uterus

1. ENDOMETRIUM/ MUCOSAL LAYER

• Epithelium
§ simple columnar with
some ciliated cells
Figure 17. Blood Supply of Endometrium
• lamina propria
§ connective tissue stroma;
Endometrium
few elastic but abundant
• layer of uterus that is most profoundly
reticular fibers
affected by ovarian hormones during
§ simple tubular glands
Menstrual Cycle
(endometrial glands)
Ovarian Cycle
- In a fully developed endometrium:
• “morphological and physiological
• functional layer
changes that ovarian follicle and
§ superficial 2/3
surrounding tissue undergo
§ shed during menstruation
during menstrual cycle in
• basal layer
response to FSH & LH”
§ deeper 1/3
§ regenerates epithelium
Endometrial Cycle
after menstruation.
• “morphological and physiological
• muscular layer
changes that endometrium
§ called myometrium
undergoes during menstrual
• Perimetrium
cycle in response to estrogen and
§ serosa/adventitia
progesterone”
§ outermost layer
• Stages:
§ serosa over fundus and
a) proliferative or follicular
much of posterior aspect
phase
§ rest is adventitia
• governed by
estrogen
- Blood Supply of Endometrium
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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 coincides with
•
growth of ovarian
follicle
b.) secretory or luteal
phase
• governed by
progesterone
• coincides with
development of
corpus luteum and
become functional
c.) menstrual phase
• results from
withdrawal of
ovarian hormones
Proliferative or Follicular Phase
Figure 18. The glands are already rather long
• starts at end of menstrual phase
in the lamina propria
• endometrial stroma undergoes
several fold increase in thickness Secretory or Luteal Phase
(from 0.5mm to 2-3mm) • starts at about day 15 of menstrual
• epithelial and stromal cells mitose cycle
• glands increase in number and • glands become tortuous and
length secretory
• ground substance become abundant • coiled arteries elongate further and
• coiled arteries elongate become more coiled
• towards end of phase, glandular • endometrium is at thickest
cells start to accumulate glycogen. • increase in thickness due to:
o accumulation of glandular
secretion
o edema of endometrial stroma

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 o secretions of uterine and
cervical glands
• average blood loss = 35-50 ml
• shortly after start of menstrual flow
o cells in deep end of basal layer
start dividing
o surface epithelium soon forms
over denuded endometrium
o with epithelialization,
menstruation and menstrual
phase ends

Figure 19. The glands look like “corkscrews”

and some show secretory material in their
lumen

Menstrual Phase
• at about day 25 or 26, coiled
arteries constrict intermittently for
variable periods of time
• glands stop secretory activity and
degenerate
• after about 2 days of intermittent Figure 20. Menstrual Phase
ischemia, coiled arteries close down
2. MYOMETRIUM/MUSCULAR LAYER
completely for several hours
• functional layer necroses
• when arteries re-open:
o damaged vessels burst and
blood pours into stroma
o functional layer exfoliates and
menstruation (menstrual phase)
starts.
• menstrual flow includes:
o arterial and venous blood
o epithelial and stromal cells

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 Figure 21. Myometrium
• thickest layer of uterus • Mucosa
• smooth muscle bundles o thrown into transverse
separated by connective tissue folds called rugae
• muscle bundles form 4 ill-defined o epithelium: nonkeratinized
layers stratified squamous
• muscle fibers • Lamina propria
§ increase in size in o dense connective tissue
presence of estrogen with many elastic fibers
§ smallest immediately after o no glands
menstruation • Muscularis
• in pregnancy, uterus increases in o inner layer of circularly-
size dramatically arranged fibers
§ new muscle fibers formed o outer layer of
§ existing muscle cells longitudinally arranged
enlarge and lengthen fibers
§ connective tissue increases • Adventitia
in amount o Thin
o contain nerve bundles and
3. PERIMETRIUM (Serosa/ Adventitia) extensive venous plexus
• Outermost Layer
Thin loose connective tissue layer that is
overlaid by mesothelium over the fundus. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Posterior aspect of uterus is covered by
peritoneum (serosa), but else where there is
no mesothelium, and that layer is adventitia.

VAGINA

• fibromuscular tube that is normally

collapsed
• Histologic Layers:

Figure 23. Organs of the Female External

Genitalia

1. Clitoris
• homologue of penis
• two erectile bodies (corpora cavernosa)
that end in the glans clitoridis
• covered by stratified squamous
epithelium
• numerous specialized nerve endings
2. Labia majora and minora
• Labia majora
o covers labia minora
o homologues of scrotum
o highly pigmented skin except in
inner surface where it is smooth
Figure 22. Histological Layers of the and hairless
Vagina • Labia minora

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 membranous folds that form
o • highest development during and
lateral walls of vestibule immediately after parturition
o covered by stratified squamous
epithelium
o with numerous sebaceous glands
o no hair follicles
3. Accessory glands

• Minor Vestibular Glands

- several; around urethral opening
and near clitoris
- resemble urethral glands (of
Littre) of male
- mucous-secreting; branched
tubuloalveolar • Histology
• in sexually mature female, consists of
• Major Vestibular Glands 1. lobes that are divided into lobules
(Bartholin’s glands) o lobes separated by interlobar
- pair of larger glands in lateral connective tissue
walls of vestibule o lobules separated by
- about 1 cm each in diameter interlobular connective tissue
- open on the inner surface of labia
minora
- resemble bulbourethral gland (of
Cowper) of male
- tubuloalveolar, mucous secreting

*Reason for their presence: is for

lubrication

LOBES
• 15-20
• lactiferous duct
• main excretory duct
• one per lobe
• opens independently of
others at nipple
• lactiferous sinus- dilated
portion of gland near its
termination

Ø MAMMARY GLAND actually

consists of 15-20 separate glands.

MAMMARY GLANDS

• pair of modified sweat glands

• provides nourishment for offspring
• minimal development during childhood
• at puberty, enlarge markedly in female

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
DUCT SYSTEM

INTRALOBULAR DUCT

INTERLOBULAR DUCT

LACTIFEROUS (LOBAR) DUCT

NIPPLES
o elevated area near center of
gland Figure. Inactive Mammary Gland. The
o site of openings of lactiferous glandular Tissue consists mostly of ductal
ducts elements. There is also an abundance of
adipose tissue.
AREOLA
o highly pigmented area around • Connective tissue
nipple o mainly adipose
o w/ sweat & sebaceous glands & o forms bulk and determines size
hair of organ
o contains glands of Montgomery • Ductal system
§ large, branched apocrine o extensive
glands o Epithelium
§ cross between sweat & § simple cuboidal in small
mammary gland ducts but progressively
becomes taller
§ stratified in main ducts
• Alveoli
o few
o in form of small buds
o myoepithelial cells (basket cells)
§ forms layer between
epithelial cells

MAMMARY GLAND (During Pregnancy)

INACTIVE MAMMARY GLAND

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 Figure. Lactating Mammary gland.
Connective tissue septa divide the gland into
lobules. The lobules are filled with dilated and
distended alveoli, many of which contain
secretory material in their lumen.

• Alveoli
o Active
§ low epithelium
§ distended by milk
o Resting
Figure. Mammary gland during Pregnancy § taller epithelium
§ smaller lumen
• secretory portions start to appear • Milk secretion
• early pregnancy o protein components are
o cells of intralobular ducts merocrine
proliferate and give rise to alveoli o fat components are apocrine
o connective tissue decreases in
amount MAMMARY GLAND (After Weaning)
• late pregnancy
o nipple and areola become highly
pigmented
o alveoli start to secrete
COLOSTRUM
§ initial secretory product of
breast
§ contains nutrients and
immunoglobulins
§ secretion stops a few days
after parturition and gives
way for secretion of true
milk

MAMMARY GLAND (During Lactation)

• regresses and returns to inactive state

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LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 • but many alveoli persist - immediately travels to the uterus
and undergoes a series of mitotic
MAMMARY GLAND (After Menopause) divisions/ cleavage.
• Involutes
• Morula
• alveoli disappear completely
• ductal system also dissipates and very
- Three to four days after
few persist fertilization
- Blastomeres that looks like a
mulberry
ü After the baby has been weaned, the
• Blastocyst
mammary gland regresses and reverts
- For another two to three days of
to its inactive state.
floating freely in the uterine
ü However, the gland usually does not
cavity, the conceptus transforms
return completely to the pre-pregnant
from a morula into a fluid-filled
state because many of the alveoli
sphere called BLASTOCYST
persist.
- Consists of:
ü After menopause, the mammary gland
§ TROPHOBLAST
involutes. The alveoli disappear
§ An enclosing wall
completely. The duct system dissipates
formed by a single
such that only very few ducts persist
layer of cells
into old age.
§ Forms the covering
ü The connective tissue and adipose
membranes of the
tissue likewise progressively diminish in
fetus
amount.
§ Participates in the
formation of
placenta
IMPLANTATION & PLACENTATION § INNER CELL MASS
§ An aggregation of
cells on one pole of
the blastocyst
§ Gives rise to the
embryo proper

IMPLANTATION

• Six to seven days after fertilization

• Embedding of the blastocyst into the
endometrium
• Endometrium
o Thickest at secretory or luteal
phase
o Edematous
o Glands actively secreting
• Conceptus/ Zygote
- result if the ovum released into • INTERSTITIAL IMPLANTATION
the abdominal cavity during o Involves complete embedding of
ovulation is fertilized embryo within the endometrium

TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 18 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 1. The trophoblast at the embryonic PLACENTATION
pole of the blastocyst attaches to
the luminal surface of the
endometrial epithelium of the PLACENTA
anterior or posterior wall of the
- Of fetal and maternal origin but
uterus.
more of fetal
2. The cells of the trophoblast that
- When fully developed, it is a flat
get in contact with the
discoid organ that measures
endometrium proliferate rapidly
about 15 cm in diameter and 3
and soon 2 distinct layers can be
cm in thickness
distinguished:
- During pregnancy, substances in
the blood of the mother diffuse
ii. SYNCYTIOTROPHOBLAST
into the blood of the fetus, and
§ Outer layer
vice-versa, via the placenta
§ Multinucleic layer
- An endocrine organ
without cell
- Produces several hormones that
boundaries
are vital to a successful
§ Secretes enzymes
pregnancy and delivery
that erode the
endometrium and
enable the
Development:
conceptus to embed
slowly into the Lacunae
endometrial stroma
- cavities that appear within the
iii. CYTOTROPHOBLAST
syncytiotrophoblast duing the
(Langerhans layer)
2nd week after fertilization
§ Inner Layer
- Soon get filled with blood from
§ Made up of cells
maternal capillaries that have
distinctly separated
been eroded by the
by cell membranes
syncytiotrophoblast.
3. By the 9th to 11th day after - Progressively increase in size
fertilization, the conceptus, which until only the cords of the
at this time has two germ layers trophoblast (primary
in the embryo proper already, trophoblastic) can be seen
has completely embedded I tye sipping into them.
endometrial stroma. Chorion
- Extraembryonic mesoderm and
Closing coagulum – the trophoblast
temporarily seals the defect in Secondary Villi
the endometrial surface that - Mesodermal villi soon penetrates
resulted from the entry of the the core of this
conceptus Blood supply
- Blood vessels fuse to form a
continuous vascular channel from
the placenta to the fetal heart,
and vice versa.

TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 19 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 - End of third week: fetal blood Decidua vera
already circulates within the
- The rest of the endometrium
capillaries of the villi –
TERTIARY/ DEFINITIVE VILLI At eighth week AOG, the definitive villi
–completely surround the associated with the decidua capsularis will
embryo degenerate leaving a bald area: CHORION
§ Initially equally distributed LAEVE
all around the embryo.
The definitve villi associated with the decidua
basalis enlarge, rapidly increase in number,
and extensively branch: CHORION
DECIDUA AND CHORION FRONDOSUM FONDOSUM

§ Chorion fondosum: fetal contribution

Desidua basalis: maternal contribution.

HISTOLOGY OF PLACENTA

• Partitioned into 15 to 10 parts or

cotyledons by an incomplete septa that
project from the decidua basalis into
the intervillus spaces.
• Each cotyledon, supplied with a large
definitive villus.
• Enveloped by the two layers of the
trophoblast.

PLACENTAL HORMONES

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

- Glycoprotein hormone that is
detectable in maternal blood as
Decidua early as six days after
fertilization
- When the conceptus embeds
- Excreted via the kidneys
entirely within the endometrium
- Presence in the urine forms the
Decidua basalis basis of many pregnancy tests
- Similar structure and function to
- The portion of the endometrium
LH
that underlies the implantation
- Enlarges and transforms the
site
corpus luteum in the ovary to a
Decidual capsularis corpus luteum of pregnancy

- The endometrial tissue between • Estrogen and Progesterone

the implanted product of - Produced sixth week AOG
conception and the uterine cavity - Maternal requirement for these
- Meets and merges with the hormones are so huge that the
decidua vera of the opposite wall blood levels of these hormones
of the uterus. at term are several fold higher

TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 20 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 than during the luteal phase of B. ovarian cortex

C. ovarian medulla

the menstrual cycle. D. endoderm of the yolk sac 

2. Which of the following cells is diploid? 

• Human chorionic A. primordial germ cell 

B. secondary oocyte
somatomammotropin C. spermatid

- A protein hormone that has a D. none of the above 

3. Genetic recombination occurs during:
similar structure to human
A. spermatocytogenesis 

groeth hormone B. meiosis I 

C. meiosis II

“maternal growth hormone of pregnancy” D. spermiogenesis 

4. Which of the following stages of gametogenesis
REFERENCES: takes the longest to complete?
A. meiosis I of spermatogenesis

B. meiosis I of oogenesis

1. Lecture Notes C. meiosis II of oogenesis 

2. PPT D. spermatocytogenesis 

3. Doc Ed’s Book 5. Which of the following cells is diploid and
possesses chromosomes that are in duplicates
called chromatids? 

A. primary spermatocyte 

B. secondary spermatocyte
C. secondary oocyte

D. all of the above 

6.TRUE of primary spermatocytes:

 A. They are the largest cells in the male germ
cell lineage.

B. They are located in the adluminal
compartment of the seminiferous tubules.
C. They are haploid.

D. All of the above. 

7. Eosinophilic cells that are embedded in the
connective tissue that is in between the
seminiferous tubules in the testicular lobules. 

A. Sertoli cell 

B. cells of Leydig 

C. spermatogonia
D. spermatozoa
8. Cells that create a blood-testis barrier by
forming tight junctions with each other:
A. cells of Leydig
B. Sertoli cells
C. primary spermatocytes
D. myoid cells
9. Which of the following cells differentiate into a
primary spermatocyte?
A. primordial germ cell
B. type Ap spermatogonium
C. type Ad spermatogonium
D. type B spermatogonium
10.Which of the following cytoplasmic structure/s
produce/s the flagellum of the spermatozoon?
A. mitochondria
B. centrioles
C. Golgi complex
D.B & C above
11.The mitochondria of a spermatozoon are all
located in the:
A. acrosome
PAST E
B. neck of the tail

1. Primordial germ cells that serve as stem cells C. principal piece of the tail
for ova arise from the: D. none of the above
A. germinal epithelium 
 12.TRUE of Sertoli cells:


TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 21 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 A. They secrete inhibin. D.A & C above
B. They provide nutrients and protection for 22.In primordial ovarian follicles of the sexually
developing gametes. mature female, the developing gamete is a:
C. They produce the fluid that fills the A. primordial germ cell
seminiferous tubules.
 B. oogonium
D. All of the above C. primary oocyte
13.Network of anastomosing canals with irregular D. secondary oocyte
lumens within the mediastinum testis: 23.Which of the following cells is capable of
A. tubuli recti mitosis?
B. rete testis A. oogonium
C. ductuli efferentes B. primary oocyte

D. ductus epididymis C. secondary oocyte
14.Its initial segment is lined by Sertoli cells: D. none of the above
A. tubuli recti 24.In secondary ovarian follicles, the deeply-
B. rete testis
 staining, glycoprotein membrane where the
C. ductuli efferentes microvilli of the developing gamete are in contact
D. ductus epididymis with the cytoplasmic processes of granulosa cells
15.Ducts whose terminal segments form part of via gap junctions:

the head of the epididymis: A. zona pellucida
A. tubuli recti B. corona radiata
B. ductuli efferentes C. theca interna
C. ductus epididymis D. theca externa
D. all of the above 25.The female gamete at ovulation:
16.Stereocilia are present on most of the epithelial A. oogonium
cells that form the wall of the: B. primary oocyte
A. ductuli efferentes C. secondary oocyte
B. ductus epididymis D. none of the above
C. vas deferens
 26.In the developing ovarian follicle,
D.B & C above androstenedione is produced by the cells of the:
17.TRUE of the prostate gland:
 A. granulosa cell layer
A. It is the largest accessory gland of the male B. theca interna
reproductive system.
 C. theca externa

B. The initial segment of the male urethra D. none of the above
passes through it.
 27.After ovulation, the ovarian follicle transforms
C. Its parenchyma consists of three groups of into a:
tubuloalveolar glands that are arranged A. placenta
concentrically around prostatic urethra. B. Graafian follicle
D. All of the above C. corpus luteum
18.TRUE of the seminal vesicles:
 D. corpus albicans
A. Their secretion contains fructose.
 28.The corpus luteum produces:
B. Their secretion accounts for most of the A. estrogen
volume of the male ejaculate. B. progesterone
C. They have no submucosa.
 C. both
D. All of the above. D. neither
19.TRUE of the penis:
 29.The corpus luteum of pregnancy is maintained
A. It consists of four cavernous bodies, two by:
corpora cavernosa and two corpora spongiosa that are A. prolactin
made up of erectile tissue.
 B. human chorionic gonadotrophin
B. The membranous urethra C. LH

occupies its ventral portion. . D.A & B above
C. Its cavernous bodies are
encapsulated by connective tissue that is 30. TRUE of the oviduct:
referred to as tunica albuginea. A. It has a simple columnar epithelium.
D. All of the above B. The ciliary beat of its ciliated cells is at its
20. TRUE of the bulbourethral gland:
 fastest during the last few days of the menstrual cycle.
A. It is a compound tubuloalveolar gland.
 C. The glands in its lamina propria are simple
B. It is a serous gland.
 tubular.

C. It is embedded in the sphincter urethrae D. All of the above
muscle.
D.A & C above 31.TRUE of the endometrium during the
21.In the ovary, ovarian follicles are located in proliferative phase:

the: A. The hormones that are responsible for
A. germinal epithelium regeneration of its functional layer come from the corpus
B. medulla luteum.
C. cortex B. Its epithelial cells are mitotically active.

TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 22 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales
 C. Its glands are highly-coiled and are cork-
screw shaped.
D. All of the above

32.Homologue of the scrotum:

A. labia majora
B. labia minora
C. clitoris

D. hymen

33.TRUE of the cervix:


A. Its portio vaginalis is lined by simple
columnar epithelium.
B. The endocervix has no glands.

C. It does not have a muscular layer.

D. All of the above.

34. TRUE of the vagina:


A. Its wall has four histologic layers: mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis and adventitia
B. It is lined by a nonkeratinized stratified
squamous epithelium.

C. The glands in its lamina propria are simple
tubuloalveolar glands.

D. All of the above

35. TRUE of the mammary gland:


A. It consists of 15-20 lobes whose lobar ducts
open independent of each other on the nipple.
B. It is a modified apocrine sweat gland

C. Myoepithelial cells are associated with its
alveoli and small ducts.

D. All of the above

TOPIC: 4. Histology of the Female Reproductive System 23 of 21

LECTURER: Dr. Ed Gonzales