Ovaries

The ovaries are paired glands fastened on either side of the uterus with the broad, suspensory, and ovarian ligaments.

Each ovary features a hilum, where blood vessels and nerves enter and exit.

The histology of an ovary features several parts.

The ovarian mesothelium is the outermost layer of simple cuboidal or squamous epithelium.

The tunica albuginea is present beneath this layer and is made up of dense, irregular connective tissue.

The ovarian cortex is characterized by ovarian follicles encompassed by collagen fibers and stromal cells.

These ovarian follicles house the oocytes in different growth stages.

A mature or Graafian follicle is a large, fluid-filled follicle. During ovulation, it ruptures to release its secondary oocyte.

The corpus luteum consists of the remnants after ovulation. It also produces progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin.

It eventually deteriorates into the fibrous scar tissue known as the corpus albicans.

A loosely defined border separates the ovarian cortex from the ovarian medulla. It contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.