THE OVARIES. 



1175 



THE OVARIES. 



The Ovaries (tettes muliebres, Galen) are analogous to the testes in the male. 

 They are oval-shaped, flattened bodies of an elongated form, situated one on each 

 side of the uterus, connected to the posterior layer of the broad ligament behind 

 and below the Fallopian tubes. Each ovary is connected by its anterior straight 

 margin to the broad ligaments : by its lower extremity to the uterus by a proper 

 ligament, the ligament of the ovary ; and by its upper end to the fimbriated extremity 

 of the Fallopian tube by the ovarian fimbria ; its mesial and lateral surfaces and 

 posterior convex border are free. The ovaries are of a grayish-pink color, and pre- 

 sent either a smooth or puckered, uneven surface. They are each about an inch 

 and a half in length, three-quarters of an inch in width, and about a third of an 

 inch thick, and weight from one to two drachms. 



The exact position of the ovary has been the subject of considerable difference 

 of opinion, and writers differ much as to what is to be regarded as the normal posi- 

 tion. The fact appears to be that it is differently placed in different individuals. 

 Hasse has described it as being situated with its long axis transverse, or almost 

 transverse, to the pelvic cavity. Schultze, on the other hand, believes that its 



Fimbriated extremity Fallopian tube. 

 oj tube. 



Artery. 

 I "an. 



Anterior wall of vagina. 



FIG. 753. The uterus and its appendages. Posterior view. The parts have been somewhat displaced from 

 their proper position in the preparation of the specimen; thus the right ovary has been raised above the 

 Fallopian tube, and the fimbriated extremities of the tubes have been turned upward and outward. (From a 

 preparation in the Royal College of Surgeons.) 



long axis is antero-posterior. Kolliker asserts that the truth lies between these 

 two views, and that the ovary is placed obliquely in the pelvis, its long axis lying 

 parallel to the external iliac vessels, with its surface directed inward and outward, and 

 its convex free border upward. His has made some important observations on this 

 subject, and his views are largely accepted. He teaches that the uterus rarely lies 

 symmetrically in the middle of the pelvic cavity, but is generally inclined to one 

 or other side, most frequently to the left, in the proportion of three to two. The 

 position of the two ovaries varies according to the inclination of the uterus. "\Vhen 

 the uterus is inclined to the left, the ovary of this side lies with its long axis 

 vertical and with one side closely applied to the outer wall of the pelvis, while the 

 ovary of the opposite side, being dragged upon by the inclination of the uterus, 

 lies obliquely, its outer extremity being retained in close apposition to the side of 

 the pelvis by the infundibulo-pelvic ligament (page 1170). When, on the other 

 hand, the uterus is inclined to the right, the position of the two ovaries is exactly 

 reversed, the right being vertical and the left oblique. In whichever position the 

 ovary is placed, the Fallopian tube forms a loop around it. the uterine half 

 ascending obliquely over it. and the outer half, including the dilated extremity, 

 descending and bulging freely behind it. From this extremity the firnbrise pass 

 upward on to the ovary and closely embrace it. 



Structure. The ovarv consists of a number of Graafian vesicles imbedded in 



