3rd Lecture on the Histology of Female Reproductive System by Dr. Roomi

7/31/2019 3rd Lecture on the Histology of Female Reproductive System by Dr. Roomi

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Histologyof

Female Reproductive System

By

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



Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes).

• The oviducts are subdividedinto four regions:

1. the infundibulum, which hasa fimbriated end

2. the ampulla, which is the

most common site of fertilization

3. the isthmus

4. and the intramural orinterstitial or uterine portion

,which traverses the wall of the uterus.

• The wall of each oviductconsists of a mucosa,muscularis, and serosa.





mucosa The mucosa has extensive longitudinal folds in the

infundibulum. The degree of folding

progressively decreases in the remaining three

regions of the oviduct.

• 1. The EPITHELIUM is simple columnar andconsists of peg cells and ciliated cells.

• Lumen of fallopian tube is irregular.

a. Peg (secretory) cells:

(1) The cells secrete a nutrient-rich medium that

nourishes the spermatozoa (and

preimplantation embryo).

• Uterine tube secretions maintain sperm and

enhance capacitation of sperm

(2) Their cytoplasm contains abundant RER; a

well-developed Golgi complex; and many

apically located secretory granules.

b. Ciliated cells:

(1) Ciliated cells possess many cilia, which beat

mostly toward the lumen of the uterus.

(2) Function. Ciliated cells may facilitate the

transport of the developing embryo to the

uterus.• 2. The LAMINA PROPRIA consists of loose





B. Muscularis

• The muscularis is composed of an ill-defined inner circular and an outer

longitudinal layer of smooth muscle.

• Function: By contracting rhythmically, the muscularis probably assists in

moving the embryo toward the uterus.C. The serosa covers the outer surface of the oviduct and is composed of a

simple squamous epithelium overlying a thin connective tissue layer.



Ectopic (Tubal)

pregnancy

• Ectopic pregnancy is theimplantation of the earlyembryo in an abnormal site

(e.g., wall of the oviduct).• Because of its small

diameter and inability toexpand, the tube cannotcontain the growing embryo

and will rupture, causingextensive hemorrhage thatcan be fatal if not treatedimmediately.



Cervix

• The cervix does not participatein menstruation, but itssecretions change duringdifferent stages of the menstrualcycle.

• The cervical wall is composed

mainly of dense collagenousconnective tissue interspersedwith numerous elastic fibers anda few smooth muscle cells.

• The cervix has a simplecolumnar (mucus-secreting)epithelium except for the

inferior portion (continuous withthe lining of the vagina), whichis covered by a stratifiedsquamous nonkeratinizedepithelium.



transformation zone of cervix

• transformation zone,

occurs where the

simple columnar

epithelium undergoesan abrupt transition to

stratified squamous

epithelium



Cervix

• Branched cervical glands secrete

a serous fluid near the time of

ovulation that facilitates the entry

of spermatozoa into the uterine

lumen.

• During pregnancy, cervical glandsproduce a thick, viscous secretion

(mucus plug) that hinders the

entry of spermatozoa and

microorganisms into the uterus.

• Prior to parturition, the cervix

dilates and softens (ripening of

the cervix) due to the lysis of

collagen in response to the

hormone relaxin.



Papanicolaou (Pap) smear

• In a Pap smear, epithelial cells are scraped

from the lining of the cervix (or vagina) and

are examined to detect cervical cancer.

• A Pap smear shows variation in cell

populations with stages of the menstrual

cycle.



Carcinoma of the cervix

• Carcinoma of the cervix originates fromstratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelialcells.

• It may be contained within the epithelium andnot invade the underlying stroma (carcinoma in-situ), or it may penetrate the basal lamina andmetastasize to other parts of the body (invasivecarcinoma).

• It occurs at a relatively high frequency, but maybe cured by surgery if discovered early (by Papsmears) before it becomes invasive.



Vagina

Overview:

1. The vagina is a fibromuscular tube with a wallthat is composed of three layers: an innermucosa, a middle muscularis, and an externaladventitia.

2. It is circumscribed by a skeletal muscle sphincterat its external orifice.

3. It lacks glands throughout its length and islubricated by secretions from the cervix and byseepage of the extracellular fluid from thevascular supply of the lamina propria.



Histology of Vagina



mucosa

• The mucosa is composed of athick, stratified squamousnonkeratinized epithelium and afibroelastic connective tissue, thelamina propria.

1. The epithelium contains glycogen,

which is used by the vaginalbacterial flora to produce lacticacid; lactic acid lowers the pHduring the follicular phase of themenstrual cycle and inhibitsinvasion by pathogens.

2. The lamina propria is a fibroelasticconnective tissue that is highlyvascular in its deeper aspect(which may be consideredanalogous to a submucosa).



Histology of Vagina (cont..)

C. The muscularis is composed of

irregularly arranged layers of

smooth muscle (thin inner

circular layer and thicker outer

longitudinal) interspersed with

elastic fibers.

D. The adventitia is composed of

fibroelastic connective tissue and

fixes the vagina to the

surrounding structures.







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3rd Lecture on the Histology of Female Reproductive System by Dr. Roomi

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