1124 UROGENITAL SYSTEM. 
ureter and uterine vessels. Thus the anterior border of the ovary les just behind 
the line of the obliterated hypogastric artery, and the posterior border is on a 
plane anterior to the ureter (Fig. 770). The inner surface of the ovary is almost 
completely covered by the Fallopian tube, which, passing upwards on it near its 
anterior border, arches over the upper pole, and then turns downwards in relation 
to the posterior border and posterior part of the inner surface (Fig. 770). 
In some cases the ovary is found to lie behind, or more rarely in front, of the fossa described 
above, and its long axis may be oblique instead of vertical. The above description, however, 
corresponds to the typical position of the organ in women who have not borne children. 
Connexions of the Ovary.—When the ovary is in position a small somewhat 
triangular peritoneal fold passes upwards from its upper pole, and becomes lost in 
the peritoneum covering the external ihac vessels and the psoas muscle (Fig. 770). 
This fold has received the name of suspensory ligament of the ovary, and 
is a portion of the upper and outer part of the broad ligament of the uterus, which 
here contains between its two layers the ovarian vessels and nerves as they pass 
down into the pelvis to reach the hilus of the ovary. The vessels and nerves 
entering the ovary along its anterior border are enclosed in a sheath of peritoneum 
derived from the posterior layer of the broad ligament. In this way the ovary is 
connected along the whole length of its anterior border by a very short mesentery 
or mesovarium to the posterior aspect of the broad ligament (Fig. 769). The lower 
pole of the ovary is connected with the lateral angle of the uterus by a ligament 
called the ligament of the ovary (ligamentum ovarl proprium). This has the form 
of a rounded cord enclosed between the peritoneal folds of the broad ligament, 
and is attached to the uterus, behind and below the point of entrance of the 
Fallopian tube. It is chiefly composed of smooth muscle fibres continuous with 
those of the uterus. The upper pole of the ovary is often directly connected 
with one of the largest of the fimbrize surrounding the abdominal end of the 
Fallopian tube, which receives the name ovarian fimbria of the tube (Fig. 769). 
Descent of the Ovary.—Like the testes, the ovaries at first lie in the abdominal 
cavity, and only later assume a lower position. At birth the ovary lies partly in the 
abdominal, and partly in the pelvic cavity ; soon, however, it takes up a position entirely 
within the pelvis. It is a rare abnormality for the ovary, instead of entering the pelvis, 
to take a course similar to that of the testis, and pass through the inguinal canal into 
the tissue of the labium mayjus. 
Structure of the Ovary.—The ovary is for the most part composed of a connective 
tissue stroma (stroma ovarii), richly supplied by blood-vessels and nerves. The stroma 
contains very numerous spindle-shaped connective tissue fibres, and some elastic tissue. 
The surface of the ovary is covered by a layer of epithelium, which is composed of 
columnar cubical cells, and is continuous with the epithelium of the peritoneum 
forming the mesovarium. The ovarian epithelium is a persistent portion of the 
germinal epithelium of the embryo which covers the genital ridges, and from which the 
ova and other cells of the Graafian follicles are derived. The position in which it be- 
comes continuous with the peritoneum can usually be distinguished as a fine white line 
near the hilus of the ovary. Shining through the epithelium of the fresh ovary (except 
in old age), are usually to be seen a variable number of small vesicles—the Graafian 
follicles (folliculi oophori vesiculosi), in which the ova are contained. The number of 
follicles visible, and also the size which each follicle reaches before it ruptures and sheds 
its contents, is by no means constant. When a follicle raptures and discharges the ovum 
its walls at first collapse, but later the cavity becomes filled with extravasated blood and 
cellular tissue of a yellowish colour. The resulting structure, called a corpus luteum, 
slowly degenerates unless impregnation has taken place, in which case it develops and 
becomes larger during pregnancy. As it atrophies the cells of the corpus luteum 
disappear, and the structure, losing its yellow colour, receives the name of corpus albicans. 
Owing to the periodic rupture of the Graafian follicles, the surface of the ovary, which is 
at first smooth and even, becomes in old age dimpled and puckered. 
A section through the ovary, especially in young children, presents in its superficial 
part a somewhat granular appearance, which is due to the presence of enormous num- 
bers of small follicles, or collections of epithelial cells, embedded in the connective tissue 
near the surface of the ovary. The larger follicles lie deeper in the stroma, but when 
they become fully developed they pass towards the surface, where the ripe follicles are 
