402 



THE FEMALE EEPEODUCTIVE OKGANS 



The cells of the discus proligerus, which adjoin the zona pellu- 

 cida, become somewhat elongated and in this way they form a radi- 

 ate investment consisting of one or two rows of columnar cells 

 which surround the zona pellucida of the ovum and are known as 



FIG. 325. A GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE OF THE HUMAN OVARY, SOMEWHAT MORE ADVANCED 



THAN THE PRECEDING. 



The accumulation of liquor folliculi has separated the granular cells into a discus 

 proligerus and a membrana granulosa. The membrana propria is very sharp, aud the 

 theca folliculi is almost divisible into an inner cellular and an outer fibrous layer. Hema- 

 tein and eosin. Photo, x 460. 



the corona radiata. With the increase of the liquor folliculi the 

 discus proligerus with its contained ovum is soon separated from 

 its attachment to the stratum granulosum and the development 

 of the folliculi is complete. 



During this period of rapid growth and development the folli- 

 cle has increased in size from a diameter which scarcely exceeded 

 that of its ovum (about 300 /*) to such a size that it occupies 



