structure of ovary

Structure of 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.

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

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

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.