THE OVARIES. 195 



ments, its occlusion by inflammation or the development in it 

 of hydatid vesicles. — 



The Round Ligaments 



Which have already been mentioned, are cords of a fibrous 

 structure, with many blood-vessels in them. They arise from 

 the uterus below the origin of the Fallopian tubes, and proceed 

 under the anterior lamina of the broad ligaments to the abdo- 

 minal rings through which they pass ; and then the fibres and 

 vessels are expanded upon the contiguous cellular substance of 

 the mons veneris and labia externa. 



The Ovaries, (Testes Muliebi-es,) 



Are two bodies of a flattened oval form ; one of which is 

 situated on each side of the uterus on the posterior surface of 

 the broad ligament, and invested completely by a process of 

 the posterior lamen, which forms a coat, and also a ligament 

 for it. The size of this organ varies in different subjects, but 

 in a majority of those who are about the age of maturity, it is 

 between ten and twelve lines in length. It is connected to the 

 uterus by a small ligament (called ovarian) or bundle of fibres 

 of the same structure with the round ligaments, which is not 

 more than two lines in diameter, and is included between the 

 lamina of the broad ligament. 



The process of the broad ligament forms an external serous 

 coat to the ovary ; within this is the proper coat of the organ, 

 (tunica albuginea,) which is a firm membrane. This membrane 

 is so firmly connected to the substance of the ovary which it 

 encloses, that it cannot be easily separated from it. The ovary 

 is of a whitish color and soft texture, and has many blood-vessels. 

 In virgins of mature age it contains fiorn ten to twenty vesicles, 

 formed of a delicate membrane, filled with a transparent coagu- 

 lable fluid. Some of these vesicles are situated so near to the 

 surface of the ovary, that they are prominent on its surface ; 

 others are near the centre. They are very different in size ; the 

 largest being between two and three lines in diameter, and others 

 not more than one-third of that size. 



In women who have had children, or in whom conception has 



