Ovary 22710 223325695 2008-07-03T16:02:03Z 72.229.165.108 {{For|ovary as part of plants|ovary (plants)}} {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Ovary | Latin = ovarium | GraySubject = 266 | GrayPage = 1254 | Image = Female_anatomy.png | Caption = Internal reproductive organs of human female | Image2 = | Caption2 = | System = | Artery = [[ovarian artery]], [[uterine artery]] | Vein = [[ovarian vein]] | Nerve = [[ovarian plexus]] | Lymph = [[lumbar lymph nodes]] | MeshName = Ovary | MeshNumber = A05.360.319.114.630 | DorlandsPre = o_09 | DorlandsSuf = 12603251 | }} An '''ovary''' is an [[ovum]]-producing reproductive organ found in [[female]] organisms. It is often found in pairs as part of the [[vertebrate]] female [[reproductive system]]. Ovaries in females are [[homology (biology)|homologous]] to [[testicle|testes]] in males. The term [[gonad]]s refers to the ovaries in females and testes in males. ==Human anatomy== Ovaries are oval shaped and, in the human, measure approximately 3 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The ovary (for a given side) is located in the lateral wall of the pelvis in a region called the [[ovarian fossa]]. The fossa usually lies beneath the [[external iliac artery]] and in front of the [[ureter]] and the [[internal iliac artery]]. Each ovary is then attached to the Fimbre of the Fallopian Tube. Usually each ovary takes turns releasing eggs every month; however, if there was a case where one ovary was absent or dysfunctional then the other ovary would continue providing eggs to be released. ===Ligaments=== In the human the paired ovaries lie within the pelvic cavity, on either side of the [[uterus]], to which they are attached via a fibrous cord called the [[ovarian ligament]]. The ovaries are uncovered in the [[peritoneal cavity]] but are tethered to the body wall via the [[suspensory ligament of the ovary]]. The part of the [[broad ligament of the uterus]] that covers the ovary is known as the [[mesovarium]]. ===Extremities=== There are two extremities to the ovary: * The end to which the [[uterine tube]] attach is called the ''tubal extremity''. * The other extremity is called the ''uterine extremity''. It points downward, and it is attached to the [[uterus]] via the ovarian ligament. ovary not covered by perotenium ===Histology=== [[Image:Gray1113.png|thumb|500px|Section of the ovary of a newly born child. ''Germinal epithelium'' is seen at top. Primitive ova are seen in their [[cell-nest]]s. The ''Genital cord'' or [[genital ridge]] is still discernible in this young child. A blood vessel and an [[ovarian follicle]] is also seen]] * The outermost layer is called the ''[[Germinal epithelium (female)|germinal epithelium]]''. * The ''[[tunica albuginea (ovaries)|tunica albuginea]]'' covers the cortex. * The ''ovarian [[Cortex (anatomy)|cortex]]'' consists of [[ovarian follicles]] and [[stroma of ovary|stroma]] in between them. Included in the follicles are the [[cumulus oophorus]], [[membrana granulosa]] (and the [[granulosa cells]] inside it), [[corona radiata (embryology)|corona radiata]], [[zona pellucida]], and [[primary oocyte]]. The [[zona pellucida]], [[theca of follicle]], [[Follicular antrum|antrum]] and [[liquor folliculi]] are also contained in the follicle. Also in the cortex is the [[corpus luteum]] derived from the follicles. * The innermost layer is the ''[[ovarian medulla]]''. It can be hard to distinguish between the cortex and medulla, but follicles are usually not found in the medulla. ==Pathology== * If the egg fails to release from the follicle in the ovary an [[ovarian cyst]] may form. Small ovarian cysts are common in healthy women. Some women have more follicles than usual ([[polycystic ovary syndrome]]), which inhibits the follicles to grow normally and this will cause cycle irregularities. * [[Ovarian cancer]] * [[Hypogonadism]] ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu cervix.jpg|Uterus and uterine tubes Image:Illu repdt female.jpg|Organs of the female reproductive system. Image:Illu ovaryb.jpg|Ovary image:ovulation.jpg|An ovary about to release an egg. Image:Gray589.png |Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. Image:Gray1108.png|Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. Image:Gray1161.png|Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. Image:Gray1165.png|Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. Image:Gray1170.png |Arteries of the female reproductive tract: [[uterine artery]], [[ovarian artery]] and [[vaginal artery|vaginal arteries]]. </gallery> ==References== {{Nofootnotes|date=June 2008}} {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QKJ56JC&sub_cat=516] From the American Medical Association * [http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch241/ch241a.html] Merck Online Medical Library: Female Reproductive System ==See also== {{wiktionary}} * [[Oophorectomy]] * [[Menopause]] * [[Ovum]] * [[Corpus luteum]] * [[Cervix]] * [[Vagina]] {{Female reproductive system}} {{endocrine_system}} [[Category:Organs]] [[Category:Endocrine system]] [[Category:Gynecology]] [[Category:Female reproductive system]] [[Category:Pelvis]] [[ar:مبيض]] [[bs:Jajnici]] [[br:Vigell]] [[bg:Яйчник]] [[ca:Ovari]] [[cs:Vaječník]] [[cy:Ofari]] [[da:Æggestok]] [[de:Eierstock]] [[dv:ބިސްރަވަ]] [[es:Ovario]] [[eo:Ovario (anatomio)]] [[fr:Ovaire (anatomie)]] [[gl:Ovario]] [[ko:난소]] [[hr:Jajnici]] [[id:Ovarium]] [[is:Eggjastokkur]] [[it:Ovaia]] [[he:שחלה]] [[jv:Ovarium]] [[la:Ovarium]] [[lt:Kiaušidė]] [[mk:Јајчник]] [[nl:Eierstok]] [[ja:卵巣]] [[no:Eggstokk]] [[nn:Eggstokk]] [[pl:Jajniki]] [[pt:Ovário]] [[ru:Яичники]] [[simple:Ovary]] [[sk:Vaječník]] [[sl:Jajčnik]] [[sr:Јајници]] [[sh:Jajnici]] [[fi:Munasarja]] [[sv:Äggstock]] [[ta:சூலகம்]] [[tl:Obaryo]] [[te:అండాశయము]] [[tr:Yumurtalık]] [[uk:Яєчник]] [[zh:卵巢]]