FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION 759 



the Fallopian tube, the Graafian follicle gradually enlarges, becomes 

 distended with liquid which finally breaks through, and the follicle rup- 

 tures on the surface of the ovary. 



At or near the period of their maturity the Graafian follicles present 

 several coats and are filled with an albuminous liquid. The mature folli- 

 cles project just beneath the surface and form little rounded translucent 

 elevations. The smallest follicles are near the surface, and as they 

 enlarge, at first they become deeper, becoming superficial only as they 

 approach the condition of fullest distention. 



Taking one of the largest follicles as an example, two fibrous layers 

 can be distinguished ; an outer layer, of ordinary connective tissue, and 

 an inner layer, the tunica propria, formed of the same kind of tissue, 

 with the difference that as the follicle enlarges the inner layer becomes 

 vascular. The vascular tunica propria is lined with cells of epithelium, 

 forming the so-called membrana granulosa. At a certain point in this 

 membrane, is a mass of cells, called the discus or cumulus proligerus, in 

 which the ovum is embedded. The situation of the discus proligerus is 

 not invariable ; sometimes it is at the most superficial, and sometimes 

 it is at the deepest part of the Graafian follicle. 



The liquid of the Graafian follicle is alkaline, slightly yellowish and 

 not viscid. It contains a small quantity of albuminous matter coagu- 

 lable by heat, alcohol and acids. This liquid is supposed to be secreted 

 by the cells lining the inner membrane of the follicle. 



The Parovarium. The parovarium, or organ of Rosenmiiller, is 

 simply the remains of the Wolfnan body, lying in the folds of the broad 

 ligament, between the ovary and the Fallopian tube. It consists of 

 twelve to fifteen tubes of fibrous tissue, lined with ciliated epithelium. 

 It has no physiological importance. 



The Uterus. The form, situation and relations of the uterus and 

 Fallopian tubes have already been indicated and are shown in Fig. 197. 

 It is a pear-shaped body, somewhat flattened antero-posteriorly, present- 

 ing a fundus, a body and a neck. At its lower extremity, is an opening 

 into the vagina, called the os externum. At the upper portion of the 

 neck, is a constriction, which indicates the situation of the os internum. 

 The form of the uterus is shown in Fig. 199 (A). It usually is about 

 three inches (76.2 millimeters) in length, two inches (50.8 millimeters) 

 in breadth at its widest portion, and one inch (25.4 millimeters) in 

 thickness. Its weight is one and a half to two and a half ounces 

 (42.5 to 71 grams). It is somewhat loosely held in place by the broad 

 and round ligaments and by the folds of the peritoneum in front and 

 behind. The delicate layer of peritoneum that forms its external cover- 

 ing extends behind as far down as the vagina, where it is reflected back 



