Description: The ovaries are ovoid, densely cellular organs
about 2 x 4 cms( A-P x transverse) in size, which lie postero-inferiorly
to the uterine tubes, in the ovarian fossa,
a shallow pocket in the posterior 'broad ligament'. The suspensory (infundibulopelvic)
ligament of the ovary laterally and the ovarian ligament medially, suspend
the ovary between the lateral
pelvic wall and the uterus.
A narrow sleeve of the ovary anteriorly is continuous with the broad ligament
by the mesoovarium, through which ovarian
vessels reach the ovary in its hilum. Each ovary has a dense cortex
and a looser medulla. The cortex is the outer region that contains the
germinal epithelium with oogonia and ovarian follicles, about 200,000
at puberty. The follicles are lined with granulosa cells, and a
layer of theca cells surround them. Within each follicle is an ovum in
some stage of maturation. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle is transformed
into a corpus luteum.
Circulation is via the ovarian arteries directly from the aorta, and
with anastamoses with the uterine a. A venous plexus collects blood from
the 'adnexal region', draining into the vena cava on the right, and into
the renal vein on the left. |