THE OVARIES. 1177 



of the vesicle. This is termed the discus proligerus, and in this the ovum is 

 imbedded. 1 



The ova are formed from the germ-epithelium on the surface of the ovary : the 

 cells become enlarged and involuted, forming little depressions on the surface of 

 the ovary As they sink deeper into the tissue they become enclosed by the out- 

 growth of processes from the stroma of the ovary, and, becoming surrounded, their 

 connection with the surface is cut off. and the germ-epithelium forming the 

 involution is contained in a cavity, the future Graafian follicle. The germ-cell or 

 cells now form the ovum ; the cell-wall forms the vitelline membrane ; the nucleus, 

 the germinal area or vesicle : and a nucleolus, which soon appears, the germinal 

 spot. A clear homogeneous protoplasm is formed within the cell, constituting the 

 yelk, and thus the primordial ovum is developed. According to Dr. Foullis, the 

 cells of the membrana granulosa are formed out of the nuclei of the fibro-cellular 

 stroma of the ovary. 2 



The development and maturation of the Graafian vesicles and ova continue 

 uninterruptedly from puberty to the end of the fruitful period of woman's life, 

 while their formation commences before birth. Before puberty the ovaries are 

 small, the Graafian vessels contained in them are disposed in a comparatively 

 thick layer in the cortical substance ; here they present the appearance of a large 

 number of minute closed vesicles, constituting the early condition of the Graafian 

 vesicle ; many, however, never attain full development, but shrink and disappear, 

 their ova being incapable of impregnation. At puberty the ovaries enlarge, are 

 more vascular, the Graafian vesicles are developed in greater abundance, and their 

 ova are capable of fecundation. 



Discharge of the Ovum. The Graafian vesicles, after gradually approaching 

 the surface of the ovary, burst : the ovum and fluid contents are liberated, and 

 escape on the exterior of the ovary, passing thence into the Fallopian tube. 3 



In the foetus the ovaries are situated, like the testes. in the lumbar region, near 

 the kidneys. They may be distinguished from those bodies at an early period by 

 their elongated and flattened form, and by their position, which is at first oblique 

 and then nearly transverse. They gradually descend into the pelvis. 



Lying above the ovary in the broad ligament between it and the Fallopian tube 

 is the organ of Eosenmiiller. called also the parovarium. This is the remnant of a 

 foetal structure, described at page 137. In the adult it consists of a few closed con- 

 voluted tubes lined with epithelium, which converge toward the ovary, but which 

 are connected at their opposite extremities with a longitudinal tube, the duct of 

 Gartner (epoophoron], which ends in a bulbous or hydated swelling. The paro- 

 varium is connected at its uterine extremity with the remains of the Wolffian duct. 



The paroophoron corresponds to the paradidymis of the male, and is found, 

 when present, near the uterus. 



The Ligament of the Ovary is a rounded cord which extends from each superior 

 angle of the uterus to the lower extremity of the ovary ; it consists of fibrous tissue 

 and a few muscular fibres derived from the uterus. 



The Round Ligaments are two rounded cords, between four and five inches in 

 length, situated between the layers of the broad ligament in front of and below the 

 Fallopian tube. Commencing on each side at the superior angle of the uterus, this 

 ligament passes forward, upward, and outward through the internal abdominal 

 ring, along the inguinal canal, to the labia majora, in which it becomes lost. The 

 round ligament consists principally of muscular tissue prolonged from the uterus : 

 also of some fibrous and areolar tissue, besides blood-vessels and nerves, enclosed 

 in a duplicature of peritoneum, which in the foetus is prolonged in the form of a 

 tubular process for a short distance into the inguinal canal. This process is called 

 the canal nf Xuck. It is generally obliterated in the adult, but sometimes remains 



1 For a description of the ovum, see page 100. 



2 P'-oceedina? of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, April, 1875. 



3 This is effected either by application of the tube to the ovary, or by a curling upward of the 

 fimbriated extremity, so that the ovum is caught as it falls. 



