284 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



The maturation and discharge of the ova occur at regu- 

 lar periods only; these periods are known as the menstrual 

 periods. Sexual desire is more intense in females at this 

 time, and if union of the sexes takes place, the ovum may 

 become fecundated. (Se"e page 291.) 



The Corpus Luteum.- -Immediately after the rupture of 

 the Graafian vesicle arid the escape of its ovum the 

 vesicle becomes filte'd with blood-stained fluid, and in a 

 short time the circumference of the vesicle is occupied 

 by a firm, yellow substance that is probably formed from 

 plasma exuded from its walls. The exudation is at first of 



FlG. 154. Ovary with mature Graafian follicle about ready to burst (Ribe- 

 mont-Dessaignes). 



a dark brown or brownish-red color, but it soon becomes 

 paler and its consistence denser. 



For every follicle in the ovary from which an ovum is 

 discharged a corpus luteum will be found, but the charac- 

 ter it exhibits and the changes produced in it will be de- 

 termined by the circumstances of the ovum being impreg- 

 nated or not. 



Ligaments of the Ovaries. The ligaments of the 

 ovaries are rounded cords that extend from each superior 

 angle of the uterus to the inner extremity of the ovary. 

 They consist of fibrous tissue and a few fibers derived from 

 the uterus. 



