THE FEMALE EEPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



509 



ment, from the genetic cells of the germinal epithelium up to the more 

 mature germ cells, contained within epithelial sacs and known as ovarian 

 follicles. During the menstrual epoch the ovaries also contain peculiar 

 yellowish bodies, corpora lutea, resulting from the rupture of the largest 



FIG. 450. FROM THE OVARIAN CORTEX OF AN INFANT, SHOWING MANY OVA IN 

 THE PRIMARY FOLLICULAR STAGE. 



The portion above and to the right is near the free surface; that below and to 

 the left adjoins the medulla. Hematein and eosin. Photo. X 200. 



follicles, a phenomenon which marks the climax of the process of ovula- 

 tion. 



The stroma of the ovarian cortex is a connective tissue structure 

 which contains relatively few elastic fibers and, except near the medulla, 

 very little if any smooth muscle. It is, however, abundantly supplied 

 with connective tissue cells of large si/e, most of which are ovoid, fusi- 

 form, or even considerably elongated in shape. Many of these cells 



