GENERATIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 151 



REPRODUCTION. 



Reproduction is the function by which the species is preserved, and is 

 accomplished by the organs of generation in the two sexes. 



GENERATIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 



The Generative Organs of the Female consist of the ovaries, Fal- 

 lopian tubes, uterus and vagina. 



The Ovaries are two small, ovoid, flattened bodies, measuring one 

 inch and a half in length and three-quarters of an inch in width ; they are 

 situated in the cavity of the pelvis, and imbedded in the posterior layer of 

 the broad ligament ; attached to the uterus by a round ligament, and to 

 the extremities of the Fallopian tubes by the fimbriae. The ovary consists 

 of an external membrane of fibrous tissue, the cortical portion, in which 

 are imbedded the Graafian vesicles, and an internal portion, the stroma, 

 containing blood vessels. 



The Graafian Vesicles are exceedingly numerous, but situated only 

 in the cortical portion. Although the ovary contains the vesicles from 

 the period of birth, it is only at the period of puberty that they attain their 

 full development. From this time onward to the catamenial period, there 

 is a constant growth and maturation of the Graafian vesicles. They consist 

 of an external investment, composed of fibrous tissue and blood vessels, in 

 the interior of which is a layer of cells forming the membrana granulosa ; 

 at its lower portion there is an accumulation of cells, the proligerous disc, 

 in which the ovum is contained. The cavity of the vesicle contains a 

 slightly yellowish, alkaline, albuminous fluid. 



The Ovum is a globular body, measuring about the T ^j- of an inch in 

 diameter; it consists of an external investing membrane, the vitelline mem- 

 brane, a central granular substance, the vitellus, or yelk, a nucleus, the 

 germinal vesicle, in the interior of which is imbedded the nucleolus, or 

 germinal spot. 



The Fallopian Tubes are about four inches in length, and extend 

 outward from the upper angles of the uterus, between the folds of the 

 broad ligaments, and terminate in a fringed extremity, which is attached 

 by one of the fringes to the ovary. They consist of three coats : (l) the 



