Veterinary Histology UFF
Department of Morphology - Biomedic Institute
LaBEc - Laboratory of Cellular and Extracellular Biomorphology 		 
Veterinary Histology Atlas
    Versão em Português
Introduction
Female Reproductive System

Functions
• Produce and conduct the female gamete
• Secretion of female hormones, estrogens and progestationals
• Conduction of sperms for fecundation and, afterwards, of the embryo to the uterus
• Maintenance of gestation

Components

Internal Reproductive Organs

Ovaries
• Lined by the germinal epithelium
• Just below it we find the tunica albuginea
• Subdivided into:

Cortex
• Occupies periphery
• Composed of dense connective tissue
• Composition:
- Stroma: Connective Tissue
- Ovarian follicles in many development stages

Primordial

 

• Found in great amounts
• Composed of: primary oocyte and layer of flat follicular epithelial cells

Primary
• Beginning of the secretion of the follicular liquid: formation of cavities filled with liquid
• Cells take up a cubic to prismatic shape
• Formation of zona pellucida: separates the oocyte from the follicular cells
• Theca interna: Internal vascularized cell layer
• Theca externa: Fibrous Connective Tissue

Secondary
• Formation of antrum (single cavity)
• Formation of cumulus oophorus
- Oocyte stuck to one extremity of the antrum
- Oocyte stuck to a tuft of cells
• Formation of Corona radiata
- Layer of follicular cells
- Surround the oocyte immediately
- Remain attached after ovulation
Mature (Graafian)

 

• Much greater dimensions
• Ready for ovulation

Corpus Luteum or Yellow Body
• Found in activity
• Cells from the wall of the mature follicles, after the ovulation (expulsion of oocyte II)
• Possess granulosa lutein cells (Produce progesterone and estrogens)
• Theca lutein Cells (Produce Progesterone)

Corpus albicans
• Involution of the gravidic yellow body
• Scar of dense connective tissue
• Stromal Cells

Medulla
• Central Region
• Has a great vascularisation

Formation of ovocyte
• Primordial germinal cells (oogonia)
• Enter mitosis > primary oocytes
• Complete mitosis in ovulation

Oviduct (uterine tubes)
• Even tubular structures
• Possess four anatomical regions:

Infundibulum
• Possess fimbria: Help in the capture of the oocyte

Ampulla
• Where fecundation occurs

Isthmus

Intramural Region
• Opens into the lumen of the uterus

Has three layers:

Mucosa
• Ciliated Simple Columnar Epithelium with non-ciliated secreting cells
• Lamina Propria of loose connective tissue

Muscularis
• Layer of smooth muscle

Serosa
• Loose Connective Tissue
• Mesothelium(simple squamous)

Uterus

Presents three regions:

Corpus and Fundus
• Present three layers:

Endometrium
• Uterine Lining Mucosa
• Simple Columnar Epithelium

Myometrium
• Thick muscle layer
• Presents three strata:
Submucous
• Most internal
• Longitudinal muscle fibers
Vascular
• Perpendicular muscle fibers
• Great amount of blood vessels
Subserous
• Longitudinal muscle fibers

Adventitia or Serosa
• Most is covered by adventitia
• The fundus and the posterior part of the corpus are covered by serosa

 


Dispersed uterine glands in the lamina propria of uterine mucosa.
Cervix
• Opens inside the vagina
• Has cervical glands in the mucosa
Vagina
• Lined by Non-keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium.
• The vaginal mucosa is normally non-glandular
Mammary Glands
• Formed by 15 to 25 lobes
• Each one is an independent gland (compound tubuloalveolar)
• Involved by a dense connective tissue and adipose tissue
• Divided in lobules by a loose connective tissue
• Present:
Lactiferous ducts
• Present a stratified squamous epithelium
• Closer to the secreting unit, the epithelium becomes simple cubical
• In the walls of the ducts there are smooth muscle fibers
• The lactiferous ducts dilate, forming lactiferous sinus
Tubuloalveolar secreting portions
• Final portions are dilated forming alveoli
• Present a simple cubical epithelium
• Myoepithelial cells are found involving these
The nipple presents:
• Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
• Below there is dense connective tissue with smooth muscle fibers
• The skin that surrounds the nipple constitutes the areola
Credits
Tissues
Epithelial
Connective
Cartilaginous
Osseous
Nervous
Muscle
Systems
Circulatory
Blood
Imune
Digestive
Accessory Gls.
Respiratory
Integumentary
Urinary
Endocrine
Male Reprod.
Female Reprod.
Birds Histology
Quiz
Videos
Bibliography