Chap, xxxii.] FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS. 265 



the number of ova in a nest or in an ovarial tube 

 a subdivision takes place in so many Graafian follicles, 

 each consisting of one ovum with a more or less 

 complete investment of small epithelial cells i.e., a 

 membrana granulosa. This subdivision is brought 

 about by the ingrowth of the stroma into the nests. 



The superficial nests being the smallest, as above 

 stated, form the cortical layer of the small Graatian 

 follicles ; the deeper ones give origin to larger follicles. 

 Thus we see that the ovum and the cells of the 

 membrana granulosa are derived from the primary 

 germinal epithelium; all other parts membrana 

 propria, theca externa, stroma, and vessels are 

 derived from the foetal stroma. 



There is a good deal of evidence to show that 

 ova and Graafian follicles are, as a rule, reproduced 

 after birth (Pfliiger, Kolliker), although other ob- 

 servers (Bischoff, Waldeyer) hold the opposite view. 



354. (2) The oviduct. The oviduct consists of 

 a lining epithelium, a mucous membrane, a muscular 

 coat, and an outer fibrous coat the serous covering, 

 or peritoneum. The epithelium is columnar and 

 ciliated. The mucous membrane is much folded ; it 

 is a connective tissue membrane with networks of 

 capillary blood-vessels. In man and mammals there 

 are no proper glands present, although there are seen 

 appearances in sections which seem to indicate the 

 existence of short gland tubes ; but these appear- 

 ances are explained by the folds of the mucous 

 membrane. The muscular coat is composed of non- 

 striped muscular tissue of a pre-eminently circular 

 arrangement; in the outer part there are a few 

 oblique and longitudinal bundles. The serous cover- 

 ing contains numerous elastic fibrils in a connective 

 tissue matrix. 



355. (3) The uterus. The epithelium lining 

 the cavity of the uterus is a single layer of columnai 



