THE UTERUS AND ITS APPENDAGES. 191 



They each measure about i} inch by ^ by 1^, and are invested by perito- 

 neum, except posteriorly. 



Describe the Structure of the Ovaries. They are composed of a vas- 

 cular stroma containing the Graafian Vesicles or Ovisacs, in various stages of 

 development, and are surrounded by a dense fibrous coat, the Tunica Albu- 

 ginea. 



Describe the Graafian Vesicles. They are the ovisacs containing the 

 human ova, are very numerous (about 70,000 in each ovary), vary in diameter 

 from ^ to -fa inch, but after puberty a few are found of from ^ to % inch of 

 more. Each vesicle presents an 



External Coat, of fibro- vascular structure. 

 Ovi-capsule, or internal coat. 



Membrana Granulosa, a layer of nucleated cells, which at one point are 

 heaped up around the ovum in a mature vesicle, forming the Discus Pro- 

 ligerus. 



Fluid, of transparent, albuminous character, containing the ovum in imma- 

 ture vesicles. 



What is the Ovum ? It is a spherical mass of protoplasm, about T ^ 

 inch in diameter when fully developed. It presents a 



Vitelline Membrane, also called the Zona Pellucida, a colorless envelope, 



in which is contained the 

 Vitellus or Yelk, composed of granules in a fluid substance, one of which 



is called the 

 Germinal Vesicle, which contains a smaller body named the Germinal 



Spot, measuring about the j-^ s ^ of an inch in diameter. 



What is the Corpus Luteurn ? It is a puckered yellow spot in the sub- 

 stance of the ovary, produced as a result of the rupture of a Graafian vesicle 

 and the discharge of an ovum, probably by the fatty degeneration of the ex- 

 travasated blood. The 



True Corpus Luteum, is that of pregnancy, and may increase in size, not 



disappearing until full term. 



False Corpus Luteum, occurs when impregnation has not taken place, and 

 is absorbed in about three months. 



What is the Pampiniform Plexus ? A venous plexus near the ovary, 

 formed by the veins of that organ. 



Enumerate the Arteries and Nerves of the Ovaries. Their 

 Arteries, are the Ovarian (or Spermatic), from the aorta, which also supply 



the Fallopian tubes, anastomosing with the uterine arteries. 

 Nerves, are derived from the Spermatic plexus. 



