chap, xxxii.] FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS. 261 



cavity of the follicle. The ovum is big, surrounded by 

 a thick zona pellucida, is situated at one side, sur 

 rounded by the discus proligerus. This consists of 

 layers of polyhedral cells, except the cells immediately 

 around the zona pellucida, which are columnar. The 

 ovum with its discus proligerus is connected with the 

 membrana granulosa. This latter consists of stratified 

 pavement epithelium forming the entire lining of the 

 follicle. The outermost layer of cells is columnar. 

 The membrana propria of these big follicles is strength- 

 ened by concentric layers of the stroma cells, and this 

 represents the tunica fibrosa (Henle) or outer coat of 

 the follicle theca folliculi externa. Numerous blood 

 capillaries connected into a network surround the big 

 follicles. 



In those follicles that contain a greater or smaller 

 amount of the liquor folliculi, we notice in the fluid a 

 variable number of detached granulosa cells in various 

 stages of vacuolation, maceration, and disintegration. 



349. In connection with the medium-sized and 

 large Graafian follicles are seen occasionally smaller 

 or larger solid cylindrical or irregularly-shaped out- 

 growths of the membrana granulosa and membrana 

 propria ; they indicate a new formation of Graafian 

 follicles, some containing a new ovum. When these 

 side branches become by active growth converted into 

 larger follicles, they may remain in continuity with the 

 parent follicle, or may be constricted off altogether. 

 In the first case, we have one large follicle with two 

 or three ova, according as a parent follicle has given 

 origin to one or two new outgrowths. 



Amongst the epithelial cells constituting the strati- 

 fied membrana granulosa of the ripe follicles we notice 

 a nucleated reticulum. 



Many follicles reach ripeness, as far as size and 

 constituent elements are concerned, long before 

 puberty, and they are subject to degeneration ; but 



