Female reproductive system pathology
Female reproductive system
Structure
[Fig. 15-1, 15-2]
– vulva (labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral orifice)
– vagina
– cervix
– uterus
– fallopian tubes
– ovaries
Function
[Fig. 15-1]
– reproduction
Histology
– stratified squamous mucosa (vulva, vagina, ectocervix)
– glandular epithelium (endocervix, endometrium, fallopian tube
– germ cells (ovary)
Menstrual Cycle
Female reproductive system pathology
Developmental abnormalities
Hermaphroditism
– discordance between genotypic and phenotypic sex
True hermaphroditism
• have both male and female gonads
Male pseudohermaphroditism
• genotypically male, phenotypically female
Female pseudohermaphroditism
• genotypically female, phenotypically male
Infectious diseases
[Fig. 15-5]
Sexually transmitted diseases
– common (HSV, Chlamydia, HPV)
– present with vaginal discharge, lesions, pelvic pain, dyspareunia
Genital herpes (Herpes Simplex virus 2)
• vesicles on genitalia that coalesce and ulcerate
• appear 3-7 days after exposure (only 30% develop lesions)
• remains dormant in nerves, reactivation
• important to be aware because don’t want vaginal delivery if active
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
• labial, vaginal and cervical warts (condyloma)
• certain types associated with carcinoma (see below)
• condyloma acuminatum is large vulvar wart (HPV 6,11)
Sexually transmitted diseases
Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
• present with urethritis or cervicitis with discharge, PID
Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrheae)
• urethritis or cervicitis with discharge, PID
Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
• vulvar ulcers
Bacterial vaginoses
– Candida
– Trichomonas
– Gardnerella
