THE OVARY 393 



and still others undergoing retrograde development, so that at the 

 age of puberty the ovary contains germ cells and follicles in all 

 stages of development. After puberty the ripe follicles succes- 

 sively rupture and result in the formation of many corpora lutea 

 which promptly degenerate, and are finally replaced by dense con- 

 nective tissue in the form of small scar-like masses known as the 

 corpora albicantia. Hence throughout the menstrual epoch the 



FIG. 320. FROM THE OVARIAN CORTEX OF AN INFANT, SHOWING MANY OVA WHICH HAVE 



AS YET SCARCELY DEVELOPED TO EVEN THE EARLY STAGE OF A GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE. 



The portion above and to the right is near the free surface ; that below and to the left 



adjoins the medulla. Hematein and eosin. Photo, x 200. 



ovarian cortex contains many corpora lutea and corpora albicantia 

 in addition to ova and follicles in various earlier stages of develop- 

 ment. It is doubtful, however, if during this period of life new 

 ova are formed within the germinal epithelium, as occurs in in- 

 fancy and childhood as well as during fetal life. After the climac- 



