Histo - Female reproductive system

Oogenesis

The process of developing ova (female gametes) through oocyte maturation and ovulation.

Endocrine functions of ovaries

The production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries, which are controlled by gonadotrophic hormones released from the anterior pituitary.

Ovary

An almond-shaped organ divided into the medulla (containing blood vessels and loose connective tissue) and the cortex (containing ovarian follicles with oocytes).

Ovarian follicles

Structures found in the cortex of the ovary that contain oocytes surrounded by follicular cells.

Primordial follicle

A type of ovarian follicle consisting of a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.

Growing follicles

Primordial follicles that have been stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to grow and develop.

Secondary follicle

A follicle that has multiple layers of granulosa cells and a fluid-filled space called an antrum.

Mature follicle (Graafian)

The final stage of follicle development, containing a mature oocyte surrounded by the zona pellucida and corona radiata.

Oocyte meiotic divisions

The two meiotic divisions that oocytes undergo, with the first division starting before birth and completing just before ovulation, and the second division starting at ovulation and completing after fertilization.

Ovulation

The release of the mature oocyte from the ruptured follicle into the oviduct.

Follicular atresia

The degeneration of ovarian follicles that can occur at any stage, often due to the loss of maternal hormones or during puberty and pregnancy.

Corpus luteum (CL)

A temporary hormone-secreting structure formed from the remaining granulosa and theca cells after ovulation.

Corpus albicans

A scar of stromal cells that forms when the corpus luteum breaks down, often seen in older ovaries.

Oviduct

A muscular tube connecting the ovary to the uterus, where fertilization occurs.

Uterus

A reproductive organ composed of the endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium, responsible for supporting fetal development.

Menstrual cycle

The cyclical changes that occur in the endometrium of the uterus, consisting of the menstrual phase, proliferative phase, and secretory phase.

Myometrium

The thickest layer of the uterine wall composed of smooth muscle fibers that undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia during pregnancy.

Uterine cervix

The lower part of the uterus that protrudes into the upper vagina, consisting of the endocervix and ectocervix.

Vagina

A muscular tube connecting the uterus to the external environment, lined with stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium.

Breasts (mammary glands)

Highly modified apocrine sweat glands that develop under the influence of hormones and undergo changes during the ovarian cycle.

Breast lobes

The structural units of the breast, consisting of 15-25 lobes.

Tubulo-acinar glands

The compound glands found within each breast lobe.

Lactiferous duct

The duct within each breast lobe that carries milk to the nipple.

Sinus

The dilatation at the opening of the lactiferous duct.

Adipose tissue

The supportive tissue between the glands in the breast, composed of fat cells.

Terminal duct

The branch of the lactiferous duct that leads to the lobule.

Lobule

The structural unit within the breast composed of multiple acini.

Dense CT

The dense connective tissue that separates the lobules in the breast.

Intralobular CT

The less collagenous and more vascular connective tissue within the lobules.

Nonlacting breast

The breast of women in reproductive age that does not produce milk, characterized by an extensive network of ducts, dense CT, and adipose tissue.

Simple cuboidal/columnar epi

The lining of the ducts in the nonlacting breast, composed of a single layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells.

Myoepithelial cells

The cells found in the ducts of the nonlacting breast that contract to help expel milk during lactation.

Alveoli

The structures that develop in the breast during pregnancy and secrete milk.

Colostrum

The protein-rich fluid secreted by the alveoli during pregnancy.

Prolactin

The hormone from the anterior pituitary that stimulates lactation.

Oxytocin

The hormone from the posterior pituitary that causes contraction of the myoepithelial cells during lactation.

Menarche

The first menstrual cycle, marking the culmination of physiological and anatomical processes of puberty in females.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, secreted by the hypothalamus, which stimulates the secretion of estrogen by the ovaries.

Estrogen

The hormone secreted by the ovaries in response to pituitary hormones, responsible for the growth and development of the female reproductive system.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus that undergoes changes in response to fluctuations in hormone levels.

Sex-determining region on Y (SRY)

The protein encoded by the Y-chromosome that determines the development of male gonads.

Gonads

The reproductive organs that develop from the genital ridges and give rise to the testes or ovaries.

Mesothelium

The layer of cells derived from the intermediate mesoderm that gives rise to the genital ridges.

Germ cells

The cells that give rise to the gametes (sperm or eggs) and migrate to the genital ridges during embryonic development.

Indifferent gonad

The undifferentiated gonad that forms before the development of male or female reproductive structures.

Ovary

The female gonad that develops from the medullary part of the ovary and contains follicles.

Paramesonephric ducts

The ducts that develop from the coelomic epithelium and give rise to the female reproductive structures.

Uterine tube

The part of the paramesonephric duct that develops into the fallopian tube.

Uterus

The part of the paramesonephric duct that develops into the uterus.

Vagina

The part of the paramesonephric duct that develops into the lower part of the vagina.

External genitalia

The structures that develop from the mesenchymal cells around the cloacal membrane, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and urethral folds.