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Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 07:59, 10 September 2008
, 07:59, 10 September 2008no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
The ovary is the female Gonad homologous to the male Testes. It is ususally a paired organ in domestic species, but in the bird only the left Ovary is present. The structures found within the ovary are undergoing constant changes throughout the oestrus cycle from the [[The Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Follicles]] containing [[The Ovary_-_Oocytes_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oocytes]], to the formation of [[Corpus Haemorrhagicum]],Corpus Luteum, and finally [[The Ovary_-Corpus Albicans_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Corpus Albicans]]. Ovaries are ellipsoidal in shape with an irregular surface due to the projection of dominant follicles and corpora lutea. These irregularities are absent in the mare due to the cortex and medulla being reversed with ovulation only occuring from the ovulation fossa, but are greatest in [[Gestation_-Litter Sizes_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Polytocous]] animals such as the sow due to many dominant follicles, and so corpora lutea, developing at once.
The ovary is the female Gonad homologous to the male Testes. It is ususally a paired organ in domestic species, but in the bird only the left Ovary is present. The structures found within the ovary are undergoing constant changes throughout the oestrus cycle from the [[The Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Follicles]] containing [[The Ovary_-_Oocytes_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Oocytes]], to the formation of [[Corpus Haemorrhagicum]],Corpus Luteum, and finally [[The Ovary_-Corpus Albicans_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Corpus Albicans]]. Ovaries are ellipsoidal in shape with an irregular surface due to the projection of dominant follicles and corpora lutea. These irregularities are absent in the mare due to the cortex and medulla being reversed with ovulation only occuring from the ovulation fossa, but are greatest in [[Gestation_-Litter Sizes_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Polytocous]] animals such as the sow due to many dominant follicles, and so corpora lutea, developing at once.
==Anatomical Location==
* In the '''dog and cat''', ovaries do not migrate in development. They remain in the dorsal part of the abdomen, caudal to the kidneys at the tip of the uterine horns.
* In other domestic species, the ovaries migrate during development.
* The greatest degree of migration occurs in '''ruminants'''. Here, the ovaries come to lie close to the ventral abdominal wall, cranial to the pelvic inlet.
* In the '''pig''', they descend to the middle of the abdomen.
* In the '''mare''', they are located ~8-10 cm ventral to the dorsal wall of the abdomen.
*The ovaries are suspended in the abdominal cavity by the Mesovarium of the [[The Uterus_-_The Broad Ligament_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Broad Ligament]].
==Structure==
==Structure==
*The Medulla is made up of dense connective tissue. This is where all of the lymphatics, nerves and vasculature of the Ovary are found.
*The Medulla is made up of dense connective tissue. This is where all of the lymphatics, nerves and vasculature of the Ovary are found.
==Histology==
==Histology==
* Sympathetic fibres of the autonomic nervous system supply blood vessels and terminate on smooth muscle cells in the stroma around follicles.
* Sympathetic fibres of the autonomic nervous system supply blood vessels and terminate on smooth muscle cells in the stroma around follicles.
* May play a role in follicular maturation and ovulation, but the main control is via the endocrine system.
* May play a role in follicular maturation and ovulation, but the main control is via the endocrine system.
==Function==
It has two main functions:
* Producing the female gametes oocytes via Gametogenesis.
* Producing the reproductive hormones Oestrogens and Progesterone, an endocrine function.
==Processes Taking Place In The Ovary==
=== [[The Ovary - Oogenesis - Anatomy & Physiology|Oogenesis]] ===
=== [[The Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Folliculogenesis]] ===
=== [[The Ovary - Ovulation - Anatomy & Physiology|Ovulation]] ===
=== [[The Ovary - Corpus Luteum Formation - Anatomy & Physiology|Corpus Luteum Formation]] ===
=== [[The Ovary - Corpus Luteum Regression- Anatomy & Physiology|Corpus Luteum Regression]] ===
==Links==
==Links==