138 



TOPOGRAPHICAL ANATO.MY OF THE 



If a section be made through the ovary of a young animal numerous 

 vesicular cavities, the Graafian^ follicles (folliculi oophori vesiculosi), 

 varying in size and containing fluid (liquor folliculi), will be found scattered 

 throughout the stroma of the organ. The largest, and most mature. 



^^>' 





1 = Mesovarium. 



2 = Suspensory ligament. 



3 == Area of ovary covered 



by peritoneum. 



4 = Ostium abdominale 



tubae. 



5 = Area of ovary covered 



by germinal epi- 

 thelium. 



6 = Uterine tube. 



7 = Ligamentum ovarii 



proprium. 



Fig. 63. — Diagrams to illustrate the development of the ovulation fossa. 



follicles are close to the surface from which they not infrequently pro- 

 ject slightly. Pathological cysts, commonly present in the ovaries of 

 old mares, must not be mistaken for Graafian follicles. When a follicle 

 ruptures to permit the escape of the contained ovum, its cavity becomes 

 1 Reinhart de Graaf, a Dutch physician and anatomist, 1641-1673. 



