270 GENERATION. 



that, at the margin of the attached surface of the ovary, the 

 posterior layer of the ligament ceases, and that the fibrous 

 stroma of the medullary portion of the ovary is continuous 

 with the fibrous tissue lying between the two layers. It is at 

 this portion of the ovary, called the hilum, that the vessels 

 penetrate, to be distributed in its substance. 



Each ovaiy is about an inch and a half in length, half an 

 inch in thickness, and three-quarters of an inch in width 

 at its broadest portion. The outer extremity is somewhat 

 rounded, and is attached to one of the fimbrise of the Fallo- 

 pian tube. The inner extremity is more pointed, and is at- 

 tached to the side of the uterus by means of the ligament of 

 the ovary. This ligament is shown in Fig. 24 (10). It is a 

 rounded cord, composed of non-striated muscular fibres spread 

 out upon the attached extremity of the ovary and the poste- 

 rior surface of the uterus, and is covered by peritoneum. 

 The weight of each ovary is from sixty to one hundred 

 grains, and these organs are largest in the adult virgin. Its 

 attached border is called the hilum ; and, at this portion, the 

 vessels and nerves penetrate. The surface is marked by 

 rounded, translucent elevations, produced by distended Graa- 

 fian follicles ; and we frequently see here little cicatrices, in- 

 dicating the situation of ruptured follicles. We may also see, 

 between the distended follicles, corpora lutea in various 

 stages of atrophy. 



Within the last few years, anatomical researches have 

 shown that the surface of the ovaries does not present the ap- 

 pearance of a continuation of the peritoneum. At the base, 

 is a distinct line, surrounding the hilum, which indicates 

 where the peritoneum ceases and where the proper epithelial 

 covering of the ovary begins ; and there is a well-marked and 

 abrupt distinction between the tessellated epithelium of the 

 serous surface and the layer of cylindrical cells covering the 

 ovary itself. This peculiarity has given rise to the idea that 

 the ovary is really covered by a mucous membrane. Indeed, 

 there seems to be little difference between the cells covering 



