488 URO-GEN1TAL APPARATUS. 



II. FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



THESE organs of generation are composed of a gland 

 (ovary), and excretory canals (Fallopian tube, womb, vagina, 

 <fcc.), whose points of interest are represented, on one hand, 

 as organs for copulation (vagina and its appendages), and on 

 the other hand, as a place (womb) where the product of 

 fecundation may be developed. 



1. The ovary arises from that germ which, as we have 

 learned, was placed on the inner border of the Wolffian body 

 and remains unchanged until the close of the second month 

 of embryonic life. We have also learned how this germ is 

 developed into a testicle. When, however, it is destined to 

 develop into an ovary, the peritoneal epithelium, which 

 envelops the germ, sends oifshoots or vegetations in form of 

 culs de sac or pouches, which penetrate into the deeper por- 

 tions of the organ (Fig. 133) ; these form true tubular glands 



(Fig. 138, 1, 2, 3) ; but soon the 

 orifice of these tubular glands 

 is obliterated (id., 4, 5), and 

 there remains only a little cavity 

 (id., 6) which is lined with epi- 

 thelium and is completely closed. 

 These very numerous cavities 



Fig. i33.-J)evrtopmentof the Graa- constitute the Graafian vesicles 



(Fig. 134) ; their epithelium is 



thus an offshoot from the peritoneal epithelium. 



2. The excretory canals are formed by the development of 

 the Mullerian ducts (p. 478). The upper portion of these 

 two ducts forms the Fallopian tube, which is free and un- 

 united on either side; the lower portion unites with the 

 corresponding portion of the opposite side to form the uterus, 

 and an incomplete fusion of the two sides forms, in animals, 

 the bifid uterus or double and independent wombs, as in the 

 rodents. Thus is seen, as the opposite of what occurs in the 

 development of the male organs of generation, that the Mul- 

 lerian ducts develop into the female organs of generation, 

 and the Wolffian body becomes atrophied ; sometimes, and 

 always in the cow, the excretory canal of the Wolffian body 



* OO, Surface of the ovary, and its epithelium, which at 1 forms a deep 

 pouch, a sort of tubular glandular structure : this gland is gradually more and 

 more isolated at 2, 3, 4, 5 ; at 6 it is completely separated, and forms a cavity 

 lined with epithelium, which is hypcrtrophk-d at one point (c/, Proligerous disc), 

 wherein one of the cells has become the ovary (o). 



