An ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ found in female organisms. It is often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in females are homologous to testes in males. The term gonads refers to the ovaries in females and testes in males.

Human anatomy

Ovaries are oval shaped and, in the human, measure approximately 3 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The ovary (for a given side) is located in the lateral wall of the pelvis in a region called the ovarian fossa. The fossa usually lies beneath the external iliac artery and in front of the ureter and the internal iliac artery.

Each ovary is then attached to the Fimbre of the Fallopian Tube. Usually each ovary takes turns releasing eggs every month; however, if there was a case where one ovary was absent or dysfunctional then the other ovary would continue providing eggs to be released.

Ligaments

In the human the paired ovaries lie within the pelvic cavity, on either side of the uterus, to which they are attached via a fibrous cord called the ovarian ligament. The ovaries are uncovered in the peritoneal cavity but are tethered to the body wall via the suspensory ligament of the ovary. The part of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovary is known as the mesovarium.

Extremities

There are two extremities to the ovary:

• The end to which the uterine tube attach is called the tubal extremity.
• The other extremity is called the uterine extremity. It points downward, and it is attached to the uterus via the ovarian ligament.

Histology

Section of the ovary of a newly born child. Germinal epithelium is seen at top. Primitive ova are seen in their cell-nests. The Genital cord or genital ridge is still discernible in this young child. A blood vessel and an ovarian follicle is also seen

• The outermost layer is called the germinal epithelium.
• The tunica albuginea covers the cortex.
• The ovarian cortex consists of ovarian follicles and stroma in between them. Included in the follicles are the cumulus oophorus, membrana granulosa (and the granulosa cells inside it), corona radiata, zona pellucida, and primary oocyte. The zona pellucida, theca of follicle, antrum and liquor folliculi are also contained in the follicle. Also in the cortex is the corpus luteum derived from the follicles.
• The innermost layer is the ovarian medulla. It can be hard to distinguish between the cortex and medulla, but follicles are usually not found in the medulla.

See also

• Ovarian disease

Additional images

<gallery> Image:Illu cervix.jpg|Uterus and uterine tubes Image:Illu repdt female.jpg|Organs of the female reproductive system. Image:Illu ovaryb.jpg|Ovary image:ovulation.jpg|An ovary about to release an egg. Image:Gray589.png |Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. Image:Gray1108.png|Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. Image:Gray1161.png|Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. Image:Gray1165.png|Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. Image:Gray1170.png |Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery, ovarian artery and vaginal arteries. </gallery>

References

External links

• http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QKJ56JC&sub_cat=516 From the American Medical Association
• http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch241/ch241a.html Merck Online Medical Library: Female Reproductive System

See also

• Oophorectomy
• Menopause
• Ovum
• Corpus luteum
• Cervix
• Vagina

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