1. HISTOLOGY OF THE OVARY
DR KELECHI DURUH
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
ANATOMY
FBMS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
UNEC
BY
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2. INTRODUCTION
• Ovary is a paired almond shaped female
reproductive and endocrine organ.
• Located in the pelvis
• Lateral to the uterus
• Measures about 3cm long,1.5cm wide, and
1cm thick
• Develops from the gonodal primordia
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4. INTRODUCTION
• Development and growth of the ovary is
dependent on Gonadotrophin hormones(FSH
and LH)
• Follicular development depends on FSH
• Theca interna secretes androstenedione
• Androstenedione is converted into estradiol
by aromatase in the granulosa cells
• Granulosa cells secretes inhibin
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6. INTRODUCTION
• Granulosa cells secretes postaglandin
• Theca lutein cells produce large amount of
progesterone and androstenedione under the
influence of LH
• The consequence of decreased progesterone
from corpus luteum of menstruation is
menstruation
• If oocyte is fertilized, corpus luteum lingers about
4-5months when trophoblasts has established
HCG secretion
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7. FOLLICULAR GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
• At puberty, FSH commence cyclical stimulation of
a group of primordial follicles each cycle
• This causes growth and proliferation of follicular
cells and ovarian stroma
• Different points of development casts various
shades on the histology of the ovary
• The dominant follicle develops to mature or
graafian follicle
• Other follicles in the group stimulated initially
undergo atresia
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11. FOLLICULAR GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
• The surrounding stroma differentiates to theca interna
and externa
• The primary oocyte completes meiosis 1 shortly before
ovulation to become secondary oocyte
• First polar body is produced
• Secondary oocyte enters meiosis 11 and arrested in
metaphase
• The granulosa cells are redistributed to form the
cumulus oophorosus and the corona radiata
• Zona pellucida developes between the oocyte and first
layer of granulosa cells
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13. OVULATION
• The release of the oocyte from the ovary.
• Usually occurs about 14th day of the cycle.
• The graafian follicle bulges on the ovary
causing a stigma
• Granulosa cells produce more follicular fluid
containing prostaglandins and other
macromolecules
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14. OVULATION
• Smooth muscles in the theca externa are
stimulated
• Contraction expels the oocyte
• After ovulation the follicle collapses
• The ovulated follicle and theca interna form a
temporary endocrine gland called corpus
luteum
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16. OVULATION
• The cells of the theca and granulosa change
histologically and functionally under the
influence of LH
• Corpus luteum of menstruation last for 12-14
days
• Corpus luteum of pregnancy last 4-5months
• The scar of corpus luteum is called corpus
albicans
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17. CLINICAL CORRELATES
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome: characterized by
bilateral multiple ovarian cyst and anovulatory
state.
• Hemorrhagic cyst: bleeding into a follicular
cyst
• Ovarian failure: could be primary or
secondary. The ovary is not producing oocytes
• Miscarriage from insufficient progesterone
secretion by corpus luteum of pregnancy
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