826 THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT. 



Waldeyer, from a proliferation of the germinal epithelia, which 

 is accompanied by an outgrowth of connective tissue from the 

 center toward the periphery. The germinal epithelia produce 

 prolongations in the shape of tubules or solid strings, which at 

 first are connected, holding in their centers rows of larger nucle- 

 ated epithelia the "ovular chains" of Pfliiger. At the time of 

 birth, such cord-like formations, in a plexiform arrangement, are 

 still recognizable, though, in the depth of the organ, numerous 

 epithelial groups appear already isolated by surrounding con- 

 nective tissue, being, at this stage, termed the follicles of the 

 ovary. Each follicle is a globular formation, composed of a sin- 

 gle lining row of short, columnar epithelia, surrounding a finely 

 granular, central, nucleated body the ovum. In more advanced 

 stages of development the connection between the surface epithe- 

 lium and the epithelial follicles disappears, and each follicle is 

 surrounded and enclosed by its own layer of connective tissue. 

 Exceptionally, two ova are observed in one follicle. 



As development progresses, numerous layers of cuboidal epi- 

 thelia are gradually formed within the follicle, and only the layer 

 nearest the wall of the follicle and the layer lying close around 

 the ovum retain their columnar character. The row of col- 

 umnar epithelia immediately surrounding the ovum is termed 

 the zona granulosa or radiata ; between this and the ovum proper 

 which, as before mentioned, is also epithelial in nature a 

 broad, cuticular formation is developed the zona pettucida. 

 Numerous cuboidal epithelia are transformed into a mucous 

 mass, which is subsequently changed by liquefaction into what 

 is termed the fotticular liquid. Traversing the cavity of the fol- 

 licle, comparatively few epithelial strings are left of an irregu- 

 lar shape. The ovum, approaching its maturity, is either 

 suspended by such epithelial strings or remains attached to the 

 wall of the f ollicle, usually opposite the pole of the follicle which 

 looks toward the periphery of the ovary. (See Fig. 375.) 



With advancing growth the follicle called Graafian follicle 

 -becomes easily discerned with the naked eye, and exhibits a 

 distinct layer of inclosing fibrous connective tissue, the theca 

 folliculi, which is in continuity with the connective-tissue 

 stroma of the ovary, and shows an ample supply of capillary 

 blood-vessels. Between the theca and the adjacent columnar 

 epithelia lining the follicle a marked basement- or elastic layer 

 may be observed. The point where the follicular epithelium is 

 accumulated around the ovum bears the name of the proligerous 



