Ovary
• Surface lined by germinal epithelium made
of cuboidal cells below which lies the connective
tissue covering called tunica albuginea.
•Section of ovary divides into outer cortex
and inner medulla.
•Cortex contains follicles in different stages
of development separated by the stroma.
-Primordial follicle-primary oocyte surrounded
by flat stromal cells.
-Primary follicle-primary oocyte surrounded
by columnar cells.
-Secondary follicle-primary oocyte surrounded
by several layers of follicular cells with a fluid
filled follicular cavity.
- Graafian follicle-follicular cavity increases in
size and oocyte becomes eccentrically located
surrounded by cumulus oophoricus. It is attached
to wall of follicle by discus proligerus.
Surrounding stromal cells form theca interna and
fibers form theca extema. Follicular cells and
theca interna (thecal glands) secrete estrogen.
-Corpus luteum-after ovulation the
follicular wall becomes collapsed. Follicular
cells enlarge, cytoplasm is filled with yellow
pigment called lutein and secrete progesterone.
•Stroma contains fusiform mesenchyme cells,
smooth muscles and reticular fibers.
• Medulla-contains connective tissue
with blood vessels and smooth muscles.
Fallopian Tube
• Mucus layer-thrown into numerous branching
and anastomosing folds which almost fill the lumen.
•Lined by columnar cells-cells are of two types:
-Ciliated cells, which help in movement of ova
towards the uterine cavity.
- Non-ciliated cells secretory or peg cells,
secretions help in nourishment of ova.
•Muscle layer-Inner circular and outer
longitudinal layer of smooth muscles.
• Serosa-lined by flat squamous cells
of peritoneum.
Umbilical Cord
• Cut section shows outer layer of amniotic
membrane made of flattened squamous cells.
• Mucoid embryonic connective tissue known
as Wharton's jelly surrounds the blood vessels.
• It contains two umbilical arteries and one
umbilical vein.
• Two muscular arteries right and left from
fetus carry the deoxygenated blood to placenta.
• Only one vein is seen (left vein is left, right has
obliterated) which carries oxygenated blood from
placenta to fetus.
• Length of the cord is 50 cm, with diameter of 2 cm
Placenta
• Chorionic villi form a part of placenta and are
involved in exchange of materials between
mother and fetus .
Chorionic villi sections appear in different shapes
and sizes
Chorionic villi are described as primary, secondary
and tertiary during development
• Chorionic villi:
Have a lining of outer syncytiotrophoblasts and
inner cytotrophoblasts. Cytotrophoblasts cells
are pale staining with well-defined cell boundaries
whereas syncytiotrophoblasts are dark staining
without a cell boundary, forming a syncytium.
In full-term placenta chorionic villi have only
outer syncytiotrophoblasts lining,
• Central core is made of embryonic connective
tissue with fetal capillaries.
• Intervillous space contains maternal blood cells.
• Function of placenta
-nutrition to fetus, excretion of waste products,
respiration, protection and hormone production.
-Placental barrier-membrane across which
exchange takes place. It consists of
syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast, connective
tissue and endothelium of fetal capillaries.
Uterus - Secretory Phase
• It has three layers-outer perimetrium, middle
myometrium and inner endometrium.
• Endometrium-lined by columnar epithelium
Stroma is highly cellular contains simple tubular
glands and spiral arteries. Endometrium is
divided into:
-Outer pars (stratum) functionalis which is shed
during the menstrual phase.
-Inner pars (stratum) basalis which helps in
regeneration of the shed endometrium.
-Depending on the phase of menstrual cycle,
endometrium shows cyclical changes:
-Proliferative phase-under the influence of
estrogen the endometrium increases in
thickness, glands elongate, spiral arteries
reach up to the surface and stromal cells
increases in number:
-Secretory phase--under the influence of
progesterone, the endometrium further
increases in thickness.
• Myometrium--three ill-defined layers of
smooth muscles.
Blood vessels run inbetween the muscles
fibers forming living ligatures.
• Perimetrium-made of connective tissue
Uterus - Proliferative Phase
• It has three layers-outer perimetrium, middle
myometrium and inner endometrium.
• Endometrium-lined by columnar epithelium.
Stroma is highly cellular contains simple tubular
glands and spiral arteries. Endometrium is divided
into:
Outer pars (stratum) functionalis which is shed
during the menstrual phase.
Inner pars (stratum) basalis which helps in
regeneration of the shed endometrium.
• Depending on the phase of menstrual cycle,
the endometrium shows cyclical changes:
-Proliferative phase-under the influence of estrogen
the endometrium increases in thickness, glands
elongate, spiral arteries reach up to the surface
and stromal cells increases in number
- Secretory phase-under the influence of progesterone,
the endometrium further increases in thickness.
Glands are dilated and tortuous giving a saw-toothed.
appearance in sections. Spiral arteries further coil upon
themselves.
• Myometrium- ill-defined layers of smooth muscles.
Blood vessels run in between the muscles fibers
forming living ligatures.
Perimetrium-made of connective tissue covering.