Ovaries

two functions of ovaries

gamate oogenesis and steroid hormone production

How are ovaries attached to body wall

mesentery and suspensory ligament

Ovary structure

covered by surface/germinal epithelium, tunica serosa and underlying tunica albuginea ovarii, with cortex and medulla

pathway of developing oocyte

primary follicle, secondary/antral follicle, graafian follicle, fallopian tube

List three types of follicles

Primordial follicles, secondary follicle, mature/graafian follicle

primary follicle characteristics

develop in fetal development, primary oocyte, layer of flattened follicular (granulosa) cells, zona pellucida and stromal cells grow

what is zona pellucida

layer between primar oocyte and stratum granulosum

describe later formed around follicular cells

theca folliculi, divided into outer theca externa and inner theca interna

describe secondary follicle

granulosa cells become more secretory, produce liquor folliculi and create follicular antrum

describe mature/graafian follicle

mound of cells (cumulus oophorus) forms, corona radiata forms around cells

Ovulation definition

rupture of follicle and release of secondary oocyte

What is follicular atresia

follicles develop but fail to ovulate, corpus atreticum form

What is corpus luteum

follicle that undergoes ovulation collapses on itself and becomes corpus luteum

what happens if egg is fertilized

Corpus luteum enlarges, becomes corpus luteum or pregnancy, progesterone increases

What happens if fertilization does not occur

corpus luteum will undergo involution and degeneration, first becomes corpus albicans and eventually dissolves