276 



HUMAN ANATOMY. 



In structure they consist of a fibrous coat the ovicapsule 

 lined by a basement membrane membrana propria and a layer 

 of cells, the membrana granulosa. The interior is filled with a 

 transparent albuminous fluid,, liquor folliculi. 



The epithelial lining nearest the ovary presents an accumu- 

 lation of cells the germinal eminence, or discus proligerus, 

 within which is the ovum or egg. 



Discharge. The Graafnan vesicles approach the surface of 

 the ovary and burst, their contents passing into the opened aper- 



FlG. 130. 



Section of an ovary: e, germ epithelium; 1, large-sized follicles; 

 2, 2, smaller-sized follicles; o, ovum within a Graafian follicle; v, v, 

 blood-vessels of the stroma; g, cells of the membrana granulosa. 



ture of the tube, the fimbriated extremity apparently applying it 

 to the region of the bursting ovisac.* 



The rupture occurs periodically and corresponds to the 

 menstrual flow. 



The ovum is surrounded by the tunica vasculosa and some 

 additional epithelial structures (retinacula). It is one-tenth 

 line in diameter, and represents all the elements of an organized 

 cell, being composed of a 



* The fimbriated extremity contains no erectile tissue, and the 

 ovum probably falls into the peritoneal cavity and is swept into the 

 tube by the action of the cilia. (Spigelberg.) 



