The Ovaries

 The Ovaries                   

Functions

 

The ovaries produce ova for procreation and the hormones estrogen and progesterone

 

Position

 

The ovaries are attached to the back of the broad ligaments within the peritoneal cavity

 

Relations

 

Anterior the ovaries and the broad ligaments

 

Posterior the ovaries and the intestines

 

Lateral the ovaries and the infundibulopelvicligaments and the side walls of the pelvis Superior the ovaries and the uterine tubes

 

Medial the ovaries lie between the uterus andthe ovarian ligament

 

Supports

 

The ovary is attached to the broad ligament but is supported from above by the ovarian ligament medially and the infundibulopelvic ligaments laterally.

 

Structure

 

The ovary is composed of a medulla and cortex covered with germinal epithelium

 

The Medulla. This is the supporting framework whichis made up of fibrous tissue; the ovarian blood vessels, lymphatics and nerve travels through it. The hilum where these vessels enter lies just where the ovary is attached to the broad ligament and this area is called the mesovarium.

 

The Cortex.This is the functioning part of the ovary. Itcontains the ovarian follicles in different stages of development, surrounded by stroma. The outer layer is formed of fibrous tissue known as the tunica albuginea . Over this lies the germinal epithelium, which is a modification of the peritoneum.

 

Blood Supply

 

The blood supply is from the ovarian arteries and drains by the ovarian veins. The right ovarian vein joins the inferior vena cava, but the left returns its blood to the left renal vein

 

Lymphatic drainage--This is to the lumbar glands Nerve supply--This is from the ovarian plexus