Ovary
the ovary is oval shaped, measuring 1.5 × 0.75 in. (4 × 2
cm), and is attached to the back of the broad ligament by the mesovarium.
That part of the broad ligament extending between the
attachment of the mesovarium and the lateral wall of the pelvis is called the
suspensory ligament of the ovary. The round ligament of the ovary, which
represents the remains of the upper part of the gubernaculum, connects the
lateral margin of the uterus to the ovary.
The ovary usually lies against the lateral wall of the pelvis in a depression called the ovarian fossa, bounded by the external iliac vessels above and by the internal iliac vessels behind. The position of the ovary is, however, extremely variable, and it is often found hanging down in the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas). During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus pulls the ovary up into the abdominal cavity. After childbirth, when the broad ligament is lax, the ovary takes up a variable position in the pelvis. The ovaries are surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule, the tunica albuginea. This capsule is covered externally by a modified area of peritoneum called the germinal epithelium.
The ovary usually lies against the lateral wall of the pelvis in a depression called the ovarian fossa, bounded by the external iliac vessels above and by the internal iliac vessels behind. The position of the ovary is, however, extremely variable, and it is often found hanging down in the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas). During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus pulls the ovary up into the abdominal cavity. After childbirth, when the broad ligament is lax, the ovary takes up a variable position in the pelvis. The ovaries are surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule, the tunica albuginea. This capsule is covered externally by a modified area of peritoneum called the germinal epithelium.
The term germinal epithelium is a misnomer because the layer
does not give rise to ova. Oogonia develop before birth from primordial germ
cells. Before puberty, the ovary is smooth, but after puberty, the ovary
becomes progressively scarred as successive corpora lutea degenerate. After
menopause, the ovary becomes shrunken and its surface is pitted with scars.
Function
The ovaries are the organs responsible for the production of
the female germ cells, the ova, and the female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone, in the sexually mature female.
Position
of the Ovary
The ovary is kept in position by the broad ligament and the
mesovarium. After pregnancy, the broad ligament is lax, and the ovaries may
prolapse into the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas). In these
circumstances, the ovary may be tender and cause discomfort on sexual
intercourse (dyspareunia). An ovary situated in the rectouterine pouch may be
palpated through the posterior fornix of the vagina
.
.
Cysts
of the Ovary
Follicular cysts are common and originate in unruptured
graafian follicles; they rarely exceed 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) in diameter. Luteal cysts
are formed in the corpus luteum. Fluid is retained, and the corpus luteum
cannot become fibrosed. Luteal cysts rarely exceed 1.2 in. (3 cm) in diameter.
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