THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 507 



THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



This system includes the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina, and ex- 

 ternal genitals. All of these organs are concerned in the reproductive 

 function, the ovary producing the germ cell or ovum, and the oviduct 

 providing a suitable site for its maturation and fertilization and the 

 uterus for the later development of the resulting embryo. 



INTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS 

 The Ovary 



The ovary also is properly regarded as a gland with a double func- 

 tion, namely cytogenic and endocrin. The specific cells involved in the 

 production of the internal secretion (exclusive of the lutein substance) 

 are in doubt. As in the testis, the possibilities include the germ cells, 

 the general connective tissue and the interstitial cells, homologues of 

 the interstitial cells of Leydig of the testis. The genetic and functional 

 relationship between the several types of cells are similar to those 

 described for the testis. The ovary, however, apparently does not contain 

 a homologue of the Sertoli cells. As in the testis the internal secretory 

 activity of the ovary sustains a reciprocal relationship to other internally 

 secreting glands and in some manner, directly or indirectly, underlies 

 normal development and the sexual instinct. The ovary, moreover, 

 periodically elaborates still another internal secretion. 



The organ involved is a transient structure, the corpus luteum of 

 pregnancy. This will be described below. Its function pertains to 

 an inhibition of ovulation during pregnancy (Loeb; Pearl), and a 

 stimulation to secretory activity of the mammary glands (Bouin et 

 Ancil; Ott and Scott), and apparently in part also to the preparation 

 of the uterine mucosa for proper implantation and normal develop- 

 ment of the fertilized ovum. As shown by extirpation experiments the 

 internal secretions of both ovary and testis influence also the nervous 

 system, and seem essential to normal nervous function. 



The ovary is a solid ovoid body, about one and one-half inches 

 long, three-quarters of an inch wide and one-half inch thick. It is 

 attached to the margin of the broad ligament posteriorly by a short, 

 thick connective tissue pedicle, the mesovarium, which transmits the 

 blood-vessels with which the ovary is richly supplied. At its ovarian 

 attachment the mesovarium becomes continuous with the connective 



