1400 



THE URINOGENITAL ORGANS 



Each ovary (ovarium) presents an outer and an inner surface, an upper and 

 a lower extremity, and an anterior and a posterior border. It lies in a shallow 

 depression, named the fossa ovarii, on the lateral wall of the pelvis; this fossa is 

 hounded above by the external iliac vessels, in front by the impervious hypogastric 

 artery, and behind by the ureter. The exact position of the ovary has been the 

 subject of considerable difference of opinion, and the description here given 

 applies to the nulliparous woman. The ovary becomes displaced during the 

 first pregnancy and probably never again returns to its original position. 



In the erect posture the long axis of the ovary is nearly vertical. The upper 

 or tubal extremity is near the external iliac vein; to it is attached the ovarian 

 fimbria of the Fallopian tube and a fold of peritoneum, the suspensory ligament 

 of the ovary, which is directed upward over the iliac vessels and contains the 

 ovarian vessels. The lower or uterine end is directed toward the pelvic floor; it 



/ SUSPENSORY 

 J. LIGAMENT OF OVARY 



BROAD LIGAMENT 



14, F U 



OVAR'AN LIGAMENT 



ROUND LIGAMENT 

 OF UTERUS 



FIG. 1156. Female pelvic organs in situ, seen from above. (Bardeleben.) 



is usually narrower than the upper end and is attached to the lateral angle of the 

 uterus, immediately behind the Fallopian tube, by a rounded cord termed the 

 ligament of the ovary, which lies within the broad ligament and contains some non- 

 striated muscle fibres. The outer surface is in contact with the parietal peritoneum 

 which lines the fossa ovarii, the inner surface is to a large extent covered by the 

 fimbnated extremity of the Fallopian tube. The anterior or straight border is 

 directed toward the impervious hypogastric artery, and is attached to the back 

 of the broad ligament by a short fold named the mesovarium. Between the two 

 layers of this fold the bloodvessels and nerves pass to enter the hilum of the 

 ovary^ The posterior or convex border is free and is directed toward the ureter. 

 I he Fallopian tube arches over the ovary, running upward in relation to its anterior 

 border, then curving over its upper or tubal pole, and finally passing downward 

 on its posterior border and inner surface. 

 The Descent of the Ovary is described on page 1427. 



