Histology

of

female reproductive system

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M. Phil)

Corpus Luteum-overview
Formed from corpus hemrrhagicus It is highly vascularized temporary endocrine gland It is composed of granulosa lutein cells and theca lutein cells Formation is dependent on LH.

Granulosa lutein cells

Large (30um diameter) Pale staining cells Derived from the cells of membrana granulosa Each cells has got abundance of SER, RER, mitochondria, welldeveloped Golgi apparatus and lipid droplets. Function:
1. 2. Formation of progestrone Conversion of androgens to estrogens

Theca lutein cells

Small cells (15 um) Location: Mainly along the periphery of corpus luteum Derived from the cells of theca interna. Function: manufactures progesterone and androgens.

Corpus albicans
It is the remnant of the degenerated corpus luteum. It becomes a small scar on the surface of ovary.

Atretic follicles
These are follicles in various stages of maturation that are undergoing degeneration

Ovarian medulla
Contains large blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves in a loose connective tissue stroma.

Ovary- identification points

UTERUS

uterus is a pear-shaped organ with thick, muscular walls. Its largest part, the body, is entered by the left and right uterine tubes and the curved, superior area between the tubes is called the fundus. The uterus narrows in the isthmus and ends in a lower cylindrical structure, the cervix, with the lumen in these regions termed the internal os and cervical canal, respectively. the uterine wall has three major layers:
perimetrium myometrium endometrium

The lamina propria or stromal connective tissue of the endometrium contains primarily type III collagen fibers with abundant fibroblasts and ground substance. Its covering simple columnar epithelium has both ciliated and secretory cells, the latter forming the lining of the numerous tubular uterine glands, which penetrate the full thickness of the endometrium The endometrium can be subdivided into two zones.
(1) The basal layer adjacent to the myometrium, contains highly cellular lamina propria and the deep basal ends of the uterine glands. (2) The superficial functional layer (or functionalis) contains more spongy and less cellular lamina propria, richer in ground substance, most of the length of the glands, as well as the surface epithelium .The functional layer undergoes profound changes during the menstrual cycles, but the basal layer remains relatively unchanged

endometrium

 The blood vessels supplying the endometrium are of special significance in the periodic sloughing of the functional layer during menses.
Arcuate arteries in the middle layers of the myometrium send two sets of smaller arteries to the endometrium):
straight arteries, which supply only the basal layer, and long, progesterone-sensitive spiral arteries, which extend farther and bring blood throughout the functional layer. Spiral arteries branch with numerous arterioles supplying a rich capillary bed that includes many dilated, thin-walled vessels called vascular lacunae.

Endometrium (cont..)

myometrium
The myometrium, the thickest tunic of the uterus, is composed of bundles of smooth muscle fibers separated by connective tissue containing many blood vessels. The bundles of smooth muscle three poorly defined layers. Inner and outer layers are composed mainly of longitudinal fibers middle layer is circularly disposed and containing the larger blood vessels. Middle circular smooth muscle layer is also called as stratum vasculare

myometrium
During pregnancy, the myometrium goes through a period of extensive growth involving both hyperplasia and hypertrophy. During this growth, many of the smooth muscle cells also actively synthesize collagen, strengthening the uterine wall. After pregnancy, uterine smooth muscle cells shrink and many undergo apoptosis, with removal of unneeded collagen, and the uterus returns almost to its prepregnancy size.

Epimetrium
Serosa/adventitia Serosa is present over surfaces of the uterus bulging into the peritoneal cavity. Adventitia is present along the retroperitoneal surfaces of the uterus.

How to draw it!

UterusIdentification points

Medical Application- Endometriosis

It is a fairly common disorder in which viable cells of the endometrium are displaced during menstruation, reflux into one or both uterine tubes, move upward and grow outside the uterus rather than undergoing vaginal discharge. Common sites of such growth are the tubes themselves, the ovarian surface, or peritoneal lining. Under the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the ectopic tissue grows and degenerates monthly without effective removal, leading to pain, inflammation, cysts, adhesions, and scar tissue that can result in infertility.