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]]