Ovary

The ovaries are female gonads. The female gametes, called ova (egg) are formed in the ovaries. There are two ovaries in human’s and usually only one of the ovaries releases egg at a given month. Ovum is a haploid cell which means contains half the number of chromozomes that of somatic cells (other body cells)

Follow up:

Location and Position
The ovary lies in the ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall. The position of the ovaries is variable. Before child birth the long axis of the ovaries are more vertical and usually ovary is described as having upper pole and lower pole. After child birth the long axis is more horizontal; so that upper pole points laterally and the lower pole medially

Features
Ovaries are almond-shaped organ, measures around 4cm by 2cm, attached to the posterior part of the broad ligament by the mesovarium and surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule, the tunica albuginea.
Before puberty ovaries are smooth and pink. After puberty the surface of the ovaries are uneven as it ruptures at the time of ovulation to release the ovum.

Ovaries are held in place:

• laterally by the suspensory ligament of the ovary - from the mesovarium to the lateral pelvic wall (ovarian vessels are present in this ligament).
• medially by the round (proper) ligament of the ovary - from the upper end of the lateral wall of the uterus to the medial margin of the ovary
  

Functions

• formation of female germ cells, the ova. The release of ovum from the ovary is called ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 14 days prior to the next menstrual bleeding.
• It releases the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone

Blood Supply
Arteries – right and left ovarian arteries from abdominal aorta at the level of lumbar vertebra-1.

Veins

• right ovarian vein – drains into the inferior vena cava
• left ovarian vein– drains into the left renal vein

Lymphatic Drainage – paraaortic nodes at level of L.V.1

Nerve Supply – derived from renal plexus (accompanies ovarian artery)