552 



FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. [CHAP. XXXVIII. 



stroma of the ovary is exceedingly firm and hard ; it consists prin- 

 cipally of a modification of white fibrous tissue, the fibres of which 

 interlace in all directions ; but it is highly vascular, especially at 

 the period of puberty. 



Graafian Follicles. The Graafian follicles orovi-sacs consist, when 

 fully developed, of a closed cavity and contents. The walls are 

 composed externally of a firm fibrous membrane, which is con- 

 nected with the fibrous structure of the ovary ; internal to which is 

 a softer and more spongy tissue, containing numerous fusiform 

 cells and fibres, more loosely arranged than in the external part of 



Fig. 263 



Ovary of human subject, a. Graaflan follicle with opening. 4. Inner lining of Graafian follicle, or 

 membrana granulosa. c. Outer portion of the same. d. Ovum. e. Vascular wall of follicle. After 

 Coste. 



the follicle. Internal to this, especially in young follicles, a clear 

 hyaloid basement membrane may be observed, upon the surface of 

 which, lining the entire follicle, is a tolerably thick layer of epi- 

 thelium, the membrana granulosa of authors. The epithelium is 

 much more abundant in that part of the follicle in which the 

 ovum is situated ; indeed, it is entirely embedded in it. According 

 to the observations of Dr. Barry, the ovum is attached to the walls 

 of the follicle by certain bands, termed by him retinacula. It is, 

 however, not easy to demonstrate satisfactorily this peculiar ar- 

 rangement of the membrana granulosa. The cells of the mem- 

 brana granulosa of the Graafian follicle have a polygonal form, 

 and immediately around the ovum are collected into a sort of ring, 





