Ovary
One pair gonads in female called ovary.
Overy produce ovum.
Length 3cm, Width 2cm, Thickness 1cm.
Oval in shape, pinkish grey in colour.
During ovulation, ovaries releases egg.
If sperm fertilized egg, become pregnant.
If ovaries released more than one egg result in multiple pregnancy.
Location
Ovarian fossa is shallow depression on lateral wall of pelvis, where in ovary lie, crossed by obturator nerve and blood vessel.
Ovaries located on right and left side of uterus in lower abdomen (lower left and right quadrants of abdomen).
Ovarian ligament connects ovaries to uterus.
Associated Structure of Ovary
1. Mesovarium or anterior border
Oval organ attach to posterior surface of broad ligament of uterus by mesovarium (fold of peritoneum) through which ovarian vessel and nerve enter.
2. Posterior border
Ureter and internal iliac artery separated by peritoneum.
3. Lateral surface
It contact with ovarian fossa on lateral pelvic wall.
Stages of Ovarian follicles
1. Primordial follicle
2. Primary follicle
3. Developing follicle
4. Mature (graafian follicle)
5. Rupture follicle
6. Early corpus luteum
7. Corpus luteum
8.Corpus albicans
Structure of Ovary
Produce egg and store egg (ovum) and making hormone to control menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Structure of ovary contains;
1. Surface
2. Cortex
3. Ligament
1. Surface
Ovary surface covered by single layer of simple cuboidal epithelium (germinal epithelium).
2. Cortex
Beneath germinal epithelium thicken cortex consist of connective tissue stromal cell ( mesenchymal stem cell) and to form numerous ovarian follicle, surrounded by single tunica albuginea layer of follicular cells.
3. Medulla
Medulla formed by loose connective tissue and rich neurovascular network, which enters via hilium of ovary.
4. Ligaments
1. Suspensory ligament of ovary
2. Ligament of ovary
3. Broad ligament
Arterial Blood Supply
Paired ovarian artery; branch of abdominal aorta.
Venous Drainage
Paired ovarian vein
Left ovarian vein drain into left renal vein.
Right ovarian vein directly drain into inferior vena cava.
Nerve Supply
Nerve reach ovary via suspensory ligament of ovary, to enter the ovary at hilum.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymph from ovary drain into para-aortic lymph node.
Hormone Secreted Through Ovary
1. Estrogen
2. Progesterone
3. Little bit testosterone
Estrogen and progesterone are steroid hormone.
Estrogen
Secreted by growing follicle.
Help to stimulate growth of ova.
Stimulate ovulation
Thickness lining of uterus (endometrium) to prepare pregnancy.
Progesterone
Progesterone secreted by corpus leuteum in ovary.
Prepare the endometrium, lining of uterus for fertilized egg to implant and grow.
Required for maintaining endometrium during implantation and pregnancy.
Stimulate the formation of alveoli for milk storage in mammary gland and milk secretion.
If conception occur, progesterone increases to support pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, endometrium layer shedding during menstrual cycle.
