Topography and External Structure of the Ovary
Anatomically, the ovary is located directly on the lateral wall of the lesser pelvis. Upon visual inspection, this organ is easily identified by its specific flattened oval shape and characteristic grayish-white hue.
For descriptive purposes, the ovary is divided into several key landmarks. First, the organ has two clearly defined surfaces:
- medial surface (facies medialis), facing the pelvic cavity;
- lateral surface (facies lateralis), adjacent to the pelvic wall.
Second, there are two borders that form the contour of the gland:
- anterior, or mesovarian border (margo mesovaricus), by which the organ attaches to the mesovarium;
- posterior border, which is completely free.
Finally, the ovary has two poles (extremities) indicating its anatomical connections with neighboring structures: the tubal extremity (extremitas tubaria) and the uterine extremity (extremitas uterina).
Capsules and Internal Substance
The surface of the gland is protected by several layers. The outermost layer is represented by the surface epithelium. Directly beneath it lies the tough tunica albuginea of ovary (tunica albuginea ovarii), which gives the organ its color and shape.
On cross-section, the internal content of the organ is clearly divided into two functionally and morphologically distinct zones:
- Cortex (cortex ovarii) — located peripherally and contains follicles at various stages of development.
- Medulla (medulla ovarii) — occupies the central part of the organ and is characterized by a rich content of blood vessels and nerve fibers that provide nutrition and innervation to the gland.
Follicular Apparatus and Corpus Luteum
During the reproductive cycle, follicles located in the cortex undergo a series of sequential developmental stages. A fully matured follicle ready for ovulation is called a vesicular ovarian follicle (folliculus ovaricus vesiculosus).
Following ovulation (the release of the oocyte), a new temporary structure forms at the site of the ruptured follicle — the corpus luteum (corpus luteum). Depending on whether fertilization occurs, it develops along one of two pathways:
- becomes a menstrual corpus luteum;
- transforms into the corpus luteum of pregnancy (corpus luteum graviditatis), which persists for a longer duration.
Appendages of the Ovary
In addition to the reproductive gland itself, specific vestigial structures closely related to the ovary anatomically and embryologically can be found within the broad ligament of the uterus. These include:
- epoophoron (epoöphoron);
- paroophoron (paroöphoron).
From the standpoint of embryonic development, these appendages have no active function in the adult organism, as they represent merely remnants of the mesonephric tubules preserved during the formation of the reproductive system.