Ovaries Flashcards
what are the ovaries?
female gonads
where do gonads develop in both males and females?
mesonephric ridge and descend through the abdomen
how is the descend of the ovaries different from the testes (both gonads)
ovaries stop in the abdomen
testes descend into the scrotum
(both guided by gubernaculum)
what are the ovaries? (attachment)
paired, oval organs attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the uterus by the mesovarium
what is the mesovarium?
a (double) fold of peritoneum, continuous with the outer surface of the ovaries
what is the function of the mesovarium?
Neurovascular structures enter the hilum of the ovary via the mesovarium
what are the main functions of the ovaries?
To produce oocytes
To produce the sex steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone
when are oocytes produced?
in preparation for fertilisation
oocytes = female gametes
when are oestrogen and progesterone produced from the ovaries?
in response to FSH and LH (pituitary gonadotrophins)
what are the components to the ovaries? (superficial to deep)
3 parts:
surface
cortex
medulla
what is the surface of the ovary formed by?
simple cuboidal epithelium, known as germinal epithelium
what is the cortex of the ovary comprised of?
The cortex (outer part) of the ovary is largely comprised of a connective tissue stroma
function of the CT stroma within the cortex of the ovary?
It supports thousands of follicles
what does each primordial follicle contain?
contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells
what is the medulla of the ovary composed of?
The medulla (inner part) is composed of supporting stroma
what does the supporting stroma of the medulla contain?
contains a rich neurovascular network which enters the hilum of ovary from the mesovarium
what are the ligaments which attach to the ovaries?
Suspensory ligament of ovary
ligament of ovary
what is the suspensory ligament of ovary?
fold of peritoneum extending from the mesovarium to the pelvic wall
what does the suspensory ligament of ovary contain?
neurovascular structures
where does ligament of ovary extend from? to?
extends from the ovary to the fundus of the uterus
where does the ligament of ovary continue from the uterus to?
from the uterus to the connective tissue of the labium majus
what does the ligament of ovary continue from the uterus to the CT of labium majus as?
as the round ligament of uterus
when does ligament of ovary become the round ligament of uterus?
at the fundus of the uterus
prior - from ovary: ligament of ovary, post: to labia majora as round ligament of uterus
ovaries blood supply?
ovarian arteries
