Ovary
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| Ovary | |
|---|---|
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| Internal reproductive organs of human female | |
| Latin | ovarium |
| Gray's | subject #266 1254 |
| Artery | ovarian artery, uterine artery |
| Vein | ovarian vein |
| Nerve | ovarian plexus |
| Lymph | lumbar lymph nodes |
| MeSH | Ovary |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | o_09/12603251 |
An ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ found in female organisms. It is often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in females are homologous to testes in males. The term gonads refers to the ovaries in females and testes in males.
Contents |
[edit] Human anatomy
Ovaries are oval shaped and, in the human, measure approximately 3 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The ovary (for a given side) is located in the lateral wall of the pelvis in a region called the ovarian fossa. The fossa usually lies beneath the external iliac artery and in front of the ureter and the internal iliac artery.
Each ovary is then attached to the Fimbre of the Fallopian Tube. Usually each ovary takes turns releasing eggs every month; however, if there was a case where one ovary was absent or dysfunctional then the other ovary would continue providing eggs to be released.
[edit] Ligaments
In the human the paired ovaries lie within the pelvic cavity, on either side of the uterus, to which they are attached via a fibrous cord called the ovarian ligament. The ovaries are uncovered in the peritoneal cavity but are tethered to the body wall via the suspensory ligament of the ovary. The part of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovary is known as the mesovarium.
[edit] Extremities
There are two extremities to the ovary:
- The end to which the uterine tube attach is called the tubal extremity.
- The other extremity is called the uterine extremity. It points downward, and it is attached to the uterus via the ovarian ligament.
ovary not covered by perotenium
[edit] Histology
- The outermost layer is called the germinal epithelium.
- The tunica albuginea covers the cortex.
- The ovarian cortex consists of ovarian follicles and stroma in between them. Included in the follicles are the cumulus oophorus, membrana granulosa (and the granulosa cells inside it), corona radiata, zona pellucida, and primary oocyte. The zona pellucida, theca of follicle, antrum and liquor folliculi are also contained in the follicle. Also in the cortex is the corpus luteum derived from the follicles.
- The innermost layer is the ovarian medulla. It can be hard to distinguish between the cortex and medulla, but follicles are usually not found in the medulla.
[edit] Pathology
- If the egg fails to release from the follicle in the ovary an ovarian cyst may form. Small ovarian cysts are common in healthy women. Some women have more follicles than usual (polycystic ovary syndrome), which inhibits the follicles to grow normally and this will cause cycle irregularities.
- Ovarian cancer
- Hypogonadism
[edit] Additional images
 Uterus and uterine tubes |
 Organs of the female reproductive system. |
 Ovary |
 An ovary about to release an egg. |
 Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. |
 Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. |
 Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. |
 Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. |
 Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery, ovarian artery and vaginal arteries. |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- [1] From the American Medical Association
- [2] Merck Online Medical Library: Female Reproductive System
[edit] See also
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