26 INTRODUCTION TO SEXUAL PHYSIOLOGY 



below the surface of the ovary. As the follicles increase in size 

 they pass inwards to the centre of the ovary, and the epithelial 

 cells multiply and a space is formed between those immediately 

 surroimding the ova and the outer cells which line the wall 

 of the follicle just inside of the connective tissue. This space 

 becomes filled with a nutrient fluid containing proteins, etc., 

 and called the liquor folliculi. The two parts of the follicular 

 epithelium are, however, always connected by strands of similar 



FiG. 14. — Uterus with vaginal attachiiient, broad Hgament, Fallopian 

 tube and ovary of the right side from a woman prior to children 

 bearing, aged 22 (natural size). (From Bell's Principles of 

 Gyncecology, Bailli^re, Tindall, k Cox.) 



cells, so that the cells surrounding the ovum are not isolated. 

 The innermost layer of epithelial cells has the function of trans- 

 ferring nutriment to the ovum. The outer wall of the follicle 

 consists of one or more layers of connective tissue which merges 

 in the ovarian stroma. Each follicle usually contains one ovum 

 (rarely two or more). The largest follicles occupy a large part of 

 a section through the ovary, and as they reach maturity come to 

 protrude visibly from the surface. In animals which produce 

 large litters, the ovaries may assume the appearance somewhat 



