THE OVARIES. 



[987 



Fig 1685. 



Surface -!^^'"» 

 epithelium ^^ 





"TTiB.! ;.■•■■" 



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ligament. It passes outward across the external iliac vessels in front of the sacro-iliac 

 articulation and is lost in the fascia covering the psoas muscle. Embedded within 

 the enclosed fibro-muscular tissue lie the ovarian vessels and nerves, which thus gain 

 the broad ligament in their passage to the ovary. 



The anterior margin of the ovary is attached to the posterior surface of the 

 broad ligament by a short but broad band — the viesovariiim — covered on both sides 

 by peritoneum, that conveys the ovarian \'essels proper and the nerves to the hilum 

 through which they enter and emerge from the organ. The somewhat pointed lower 

 end of the ovary is connected with the posterior border of the uterus, between the 

 oviduct and the round ligament, by a cord-like band, the utero-ovarian ligament or 

 ligament of the ovary (ligamentum ovarii proprium). This band, from 3-4 mm. 

 thick, lies within the posterior layer of the broad ligament beneath the peritoneum, 

 through which it is seen as a distinct cord. 



Since the uterus and its broad ligament are subject to continual changes of posi- 

 tion, the attachment of the ovary to these structures often produces deviations from 

 its typical location. These in- 

 fluences affect particularly the 

 lower pole, the upper enjoying 

 greater fixation from the support 

 afforded by the suspensory liga- 

 ment. Asymmetry in the po- 

 sition of the two ovaries is usual, 

 as the fundus of the uterus seldom 

 lies strictly in the mid-line, and 

 hence the lower pole of the ovary 

 of the opposite side is dragged 

 medially. The long axis of the 

 ovary, under such conditions, is 

 oblique on the side opposite to 

 that towards which the uterus is 

 deflected. Conversely, relaxa- 

 tion of the ligaments occurs on 

 the side towards which the uterus 

 tends and thus favors the reten- 

 tion of the vertical position of the 

 ovary. Notwithstanding the lati- 

 tude of movement possible, the 

 position of the normal ovary is granuios 

 fairly constant, the close relation 

 of the oviduct to the median 

 surface, aided by the pressure 

 exerted by other organs within 

 the pelvis, materially assisting 

 in retaining the ovary within its 

 fossa. The stretching and subsequent relaxation of the suspensory ligament incident 

 to pregnancy are predisposing causes of displacement of the ovary due to insulftcient 

 fixation. 



Structure. — The ovary consists of two principal parts, the cortex (zona 

 parenchymatosa) — a narrow superficial zone, from 2-3 mm. thick, that forms the 

 entire periphery of the organ beyond the white line ; and the medulla (zona vascu- 

 losa,) that embraces the deeper and more central remaining portion of the gland. 

 The cortex alone contains the characteristic Graafian follicles and the ova, while the 

 medulla is distinguished by the number and size of the blood-vessels, especially 

 the veins. 



The cortex, as seen in vertical sections of the functionally active organ, con- 

 sists chiefly of the compact ovarian stroma that is composed of peculiar spindle- 

 shaped connective tissue-cells, from .015-.030 mm. in length and about one-fifth as 

 much in width, and fibrillar intercellular substance. The strotna-cells, which some- 

 what resemble the elements of involuntary muscle in appearance, are arranged in 



Section of cortex of ovary of young woman, showing primary 

 and growing follicles within ovarian stroma. \ 190. 



