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"Ovary" by Regine Epps

Page history last edited by Regine Epps 4 years, 1 month ago

 

 

Ovary / Organ Histology

By

Regine Epps

 

Organ Histology

 

Structure

 

Each woman has two ovaries that are a part of the reproductive system. The ovaries have an oval shape and they are approximately 4 centimeters long. They sit along both sides of the uterus which is against the pelvis positioned in a region called the ovarian fossa. Ligaments are what hold the ovaries in place, and they are attached to only to the uterus.

 

Function

 

The ovaries are responsible for producing two important reproductive functions in the body. Oocytes that are the eggs that will be fertilized, and the reproductive hormones called, estrogen and progesterone. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone controls the ovary’s function. The hormone is sent from the hypothalamus which sends information to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland provides the luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones. These hormones are carried into the blood to control the menstrual cycle. During the mid-menstrual cycle, an egg is released. The ovaries will typically rotate the releasing the egg. It is important to know that the female baby is born with the eggs that she will have in her life. The egg count starts at 2 million but drops to 400,000 eggs by the time she reaches puberty.

Between puberty and menopause only about 400 – 500 eggs will have the chance to reach maturity be used during ovulation – waiting to be fertilized in the fallopian tubes. Before being released the egg is held by a single layer of cells called, follicles. During the maturation of the egg, the cells in the follicle divide causing the follicle to become enlarged. A full-grown follicle is known as, Graafian follicles that have the potential to grow up to 1.2 inches in diameter. There is always one follicle to dominates when the other ones lose the ability to function when the egg matures. When the follicles grow, they create the hormone estrogen. Once the egg is matured it is released into the closest fallopian tube during ovulation and the left-over follicle will become a “corpus luteum”. A corpus luteum produces high amounts of progesterone and low amounts of estrogen. The hormones are essential in creating the lining of the uterus for a possible pregnancy. If a pregnancy doesn’t occur during a menstrual cycle will start after the corpus luteum breaks down and stops sending out estrogen and progesterone. Without those hormones the lining along the uterus wall will start shedding and then menstruation will begin. Then another cycle will begin. Each cycle typically consists of 28 days. But ovulation can be affected by stress and other factors and when this happens it’s called, an anovulatory cycle.

 

 

The ovarian phases of a 28-day menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs mid-cycle.

 

 

References: 

 

https://www.livescience.com/58862-ovary-facts.html

 

https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/ovaries/

 

 

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