BIOL302 Lecture Notes - Cumulus Oophorus, Theca Of Follicle, Follicular Antrum
3 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
Function: production and ovulation of oocytes and secretion of hormones. The surface of the ovary is covered by a single layer of cuboidal epithelium, called the germinal epithelium. Fibrous connective tissue forms a thin capsule, the tunica albuginea, immediately beneath the epithelium. The ovary is divided into an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex consists of a very cellular connective tissue stroma in which the ovarian follicles are embedded. The medulla is composed of loose connective tissue, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Ovarian follicles: consist of one oocyte and surrounding follicular cells. Follicular development can be divided into a number of stages. Primordial follicle: in meiotic arrest (in prophase); can be arrested up to 50 years, round structure, simple squamous layer surrounding oocyte, the nucleus of the oocyte is positioned eccentric in the cell. It appears very light and contains a prominent nucleolus.
