FRS - Ovaries Flashcards
Where do the gonads (both male and female) develop?
They develop in the mesonephric ridge as they descend through the abdomen. However, unlike the testes, the ovaries stop in the pelvis.
To which ligament are the ovaries attached to?
It is connected to the posterior surface of the broad ligament, specifically the mesovarium (a fold of peritoneum, continuous with the outer surface of the ovaries).
Neurovascular structures enter the hilum of the ovary via the mesovarium.
What are the functions of the ovaries?
1) Produce oocytes in preparation for fertilisation.
2) Produce estrogen and progesterone, in response to the LH and FSH.
Components of the ovary
The ovary has three main histological features:
1) Surface - formed by simple cuboidal epithelium (known as the germinal epithelium). Underlying this layer is a dense connective tissue capsule.
2) Cortex - comprised of a connective tissue stroma and numerous ovarian follicles. Each follicle contains an oocyte, surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells.
3) Medulla - formed by loose connective tissue and a rich neurovascular network, which enters via the hilum of the ovary.
Clinical relevance - disorders of the ovaries
1) Ovarian cysts - fluid-filled masses that may develop in the ovary. They are commonly derived from ovarian folliclesm, reaching approximately 2-2.5cm. Most ovarian cysts are benign and develop during a woman’s child-bearing years, however, some larger cysts may cause problems such as bleeding and pain and require surgical removal.
2) Polycystic ovaries - are characterised by hormone dysfunction and multiple (over 10) ovarian cysts. It is associated with infertility.
2) Ovarian tumours - another serious disorder. The most common cancers arise from epithelial components or germ cells. 90% of ovarian cancers are derived from the epithelium, these are termed ovarian adenocarcinomas. Most germ cell tumours are teratomas, which comprise cells from all 3 germ cell layers and are usually benign.
Ligaments of the ovary
Two peritoneal ligaments attach to the ovary:
1) Suspensory ligament of the ovary - fold of peritoneum extending from the mesovarium to the pelvic wall. Contains neurovascular structures.
2) Ligament of ovary - extends from the ovary to the fundus of the uterus. It then continues from the uterus to the connective tissue of the labium majus, as the round ligament of the uterus.
Neurovascular supply
Arterial supply - ovarian arteries (arises directly from the abdominal aorta). There is also contribution from the uterine arteries.
Venous drainage - ovarian veins - left drains into left renal vein and right drains directly into the IVC.
The ovaries receive sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation from the ovarian and uterine plexuses, respectively. These nerves reafch teh ovaries via the suspensory ligament of the ovary, to enter the ovary at the hilum.
Lymphatics
Para-aortic nodes.
