FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• 1. Menstrual (3-4 days)
  2. Proliferative (8-10 days)
  3. Secretory (14 days from day of ovulation)
• Endometrium is the innermost layer of uterus
• The endometrial lining consists of two layers, functional layer and basalis layer.
• Functional Layer - this is where implantation occurs if fertilization happens
• Basalis Layer - this is responsible for maintaining blood supply to the endometrium during pregnancy
• Basalis Layer - this layer remains intact during menstruation
• Glandular epithelium - simple columnar epithelium
• Menstrual Phase: first day of menstruation and menstrual cycle

  • endometrial shedding > no fertilization took place
  • progesterone production of corpus luteum is inhibited by negative feedback leading to LH suppression
  • FSH reactivation = follicular development cycle begins
• Menses - menstrual discharge
• average loss of blood - 35mL
• Proliferative Phase:

  • follicular/estrogenic phase
  • proliferation of endometrial stroma
  • thicker endometrium and highly vascularized
  • growth of ovarian follicles
• Secretory Phase

  • luteal phase
  • uterine glands become coiled
• Cervix

  • prone to tumour formation, developing to cervical cancer
  • long cylindrical part of uterus
• endocervical sample, pap smear - procedure to screen for cervical cancer
• HPV (human papilloma virus) - virus associated with occurence of cervical cancer
• Endocervix

  • simple columnar
  • nabothian cyst
  • mucus secreting cervical glands
• Ectocervix

  • stratified squamous epith non keratinizing
• transitional zone

  • where collection of pap smear samples are usually taken
  • junction between endo and ectocervix
• normal vagina has an acidic pH = prevent pathogens from developing or infecting the vagina

  lactobacillus acidophilus or doderleuri bacilli - normal organism found in vagina

  pag more alkaline ang vagina higher risk of infection since pathogens prefer growing in an alkaline environment
• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge; characterized by foul-smelling, grayish-white discharge that is thicker than usual; occurs when there's an overgrowth of bacteria called Gardnerella vaginalis
• umbilical vein - supplies oxygenated blood from the placenta to the baby
• Umbilical Cord

  • two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein
  • embedded in wharton's jelly
  • connection between the developing embryo and the placenta
• Decidua

  • maternal part
  • formerly endometrium
  • basalis
  • capsularis
  • parietalis/vera
• Cytotrophoblast - langhan cells
• syncytiotrophoblast - produces HCG
• hofbauer cells - macrophages of placenta
• villi - exchange of gases occur
• chorion- embryonic part

  • chorionic plate - where villi arises
• Primary villi - cords/columns of cytotrophoblast
• secondary villi - primary villi invaded by extraembryonic mesenchyme
• tertiary villi - mesenchyme in secondary villi differentiates to form capillary loops (vascularized)
• placenta

  • discoid vascular tissue with an embryonic part (chorion) and maternal part (decidua)
• syncytiotrophoblast = cells found in chorionic region responsible for hcg production
• hcg - maintain corpus luteium of pregnancy
• endometrial stroma - under influence of progesterone
• blastocyst 0 fluid filled hollow structure with embryoblasts
• trophoblast - peripheral cells of blastocyst

  • formation of cytotrophoblast inner, and syncytiotrophoblast outer
• after the ninth day after ovulation, implantation is complete
• morula - cluster of cells
• secretory peg cells also secrete capacitation factors which helps the sperm to fertilize the egg