ovary

ovary,

ductless gland of the female in which the ova (female reproductive cells) are produced. In vertebrate animals the ovary also secretes the sex hormones estrogenestrogen
, any one of a group of hormones synthesized by the reproductive organs and adrenal glands in females and, in lesser quantities, in males. The estrogens cause the thickening of the lining of the uterus and vagina in the early phase of the ovulatory, or menstrual, cycle
..... Click the link for more information. and progesteroneprogesterone
, female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. A steroid, progesterone is secreted chiefly by the corpus luteum, a group of cells formed in the ovary after the follicle
..... Click the link for more information. , which control the development of the sexual organs and the secondary sexual characteristics. The interaction between the gonadotropic hormonesgonadotropic hormone
or gonadotropin,
any one of three glycoprotein (see protein) hormones released by either the anterior pituitary gland or the placenta (the organ in which maternal and fetal blood exchange nutrients and waste products) that have various effects upon
..... Click the link for more information. from the pituitary glandpituitary gland,
small oval endocrine gland that lies at the base of the brain. It is sometimes called the master gland of the body because all the other endocrine glands depend on its secretions for stimulation (see endocrine system).
..... Click the link for more information. and the sex hormones from the ovary controls the monthly cycle in humans of ovulation and menstruationmenstruation,
periodic flow of blood and cells from the lining of the uterus in humans and most other primates, occurring about every 28 days in women. Menstruation commences at puberty (usually between age 10 and 17).
..... Click the link for more information. . There are two ovaries in the human, held in place on each side of the uterus by a membrane; each ovary is about the size of an almond. About 500,000 immature eggs are present in the cortex of the ovary at birth. Starting at puberty, eggs mature successively, and one breaks through the ovarian wall about every 28 days in the process known as ovulation, which continues until menopause, or cessation of reproductive functioning in the female. After its release from the ovary, the ovum passes into the oviduct (uterine or fallopian tube) and into the uterus. If the ovum is fertilized by the sperm (male reproductive cell), pregnancy ensues (see reproductive systemreproductive system,
in animals, the anatomical organs concerned with production of offspring. In humans and other mammals the female reproductive system produces the female reproductive cells (the eggs, or ova) and contains an organ in which development of the fetus takes
..... Click the link for more information. ). In flowering plants the part of the pistil containing the ova is called the ovary; the ripened ovary is the fruit.

Ovary

A part of the reproductive system of all female vertebrates. Although not vital to individual survival, the ovary is vital to perpetuation of the species. The function of the ovary is to produce the female germ cells or ova, and in some species to elaborate hormones that assist in regulating the reproductive cycle.

The ovaries develop as bilateral structures in all vertebrates, but adult asymmetry is found in certain species of all vertebrates from the elasmobranchs to the mammals.

The ovary of all vertebrates functions in essentially the same manner. However, ovarian histology of the various groups differs considerably. Even such a fundamental element as the ovum exhibits differences in various groups. See Ovum

The mammalian ovary is attached to the dorsal body wall. The free surface of the ovary is covered by a modified peritoneum called the germinal epithelium. Just beneath the germinal epithelium is a layer of fibrous connective tissue. Most of the rest of the ovary is made up of a more cellular and more loosely arranged connective tissue (stroma) in which are embedded the germinal, endocrine, vascular, and nervous elements.

The most obvious ovarian structures are the follicles and the corpora lutea. The smallest, or primary, follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by a layer of follicle (nurse) cells. Follicular growth results from an increase in oocyte size, multiplication of the follicle cells, and differentiation of the perifollicular stroma to form a fibrocellular envelope called the theca interna. Finally, a fluid-filled antrum develops in the granulosa layer, resulting in a vesicular follicle.

The cells of the theca intema hypertrophy during follicular growth and many capillaries invade the layer, thus forming the endocrine element that is thought to secrete estrogen. The other known endocrine structure is the corpus luteum, which is primarily the product of hypertrophy of the granulosa cells remaining after the follicular wall ruptures to release the ovum. Ingrowths of connective tissue from the theca interna deliver capillaries to vascularize the hypertrophied follicle cells of this new corpus luteum; progesterone is secreted here. See Estrogen, Estrus, Menstruation, Progesterone

Ovary

(ovarium), the lower, slightly thickened, hollow part of the pistil in the flowers of angiosperm plants. The cavity of the ovary contains one or several ovules (sometimes many). After fertilization the ovules form seeds (the seeds “set”), and the ovary itself turns into the fruit.

Ovary

one of the paired female sexual glands in which the eggs form and mature.

The primordial germ cells usually separate very early in the course of individual development from the somatic cells of the embryo and subsequently concentrate in one of the germ layers. The ovaries are formed in the ectoderm or entoderm in coelen-terates and in the mesoderm in all other animal phyla. In invertebrates (sponges, lower coelenterates, and acoelomate ciliated worms) the ovaries are only a temporary mass of sexual cells. In more highly developed animals they are independent organs.

Two main types of ovarian structure are distinguished. In the saccate ovaries of lower worms, echinoderms, arthropods, mollusks, and acraniates the eggs are formed in the internal lining of the organ; some time later they enter the ovarian cavity and are released through ducts. Compact ovaries are composed of internal connective-tissue stroma and an external lining from the germinal epithelium in which the eggs are formed. The mature eggs pass through a break in the ovarian wall into the common body cavity (coelom), from which they are released through oviducts completely independent of the ovaries (in annelid worms among invertebrates and in all vertebrates).

An ovary is usually one of two paired organs in bilaterally symmetrical animals and humans. However, it is sometimes unpaired: one of the ovaries may be reduced, as in gastropods and birds, or the two ovaries may fuse in the course of individual development, as in some arthropods and vertebrates (for example, lampreys and perches).

The ovaries of vertebrates are compact connective tissue bodies into which grow columns of embryonic epithelial cells that cover the ovaries on the outside. The columns of embryonic cells break down into round follicles in which a single egg and several somatic cells arranged around it (follicular cells) develop. The follicles participate in the sustenance of the growing egg and, often, in the formation of the egg membranes as well. The maturing follicle (Graafian follicle in mammals) enlarges and becomes distended by the liquid in its interior. It rises to the surface of the ovary, where it bursts and releases the mature egg. The egg passes through the oviduct, where fertilization occurs, and then enters the uterus. The corpus luteum forms on the surface of the ovary where the follicle burst (seeCORPUS LUTEUM).

In humans the ovaries are situated in the cavity of the lesser, or minor, pelvis (near its lateral walls) on both sides of the uterus, each on the posterior surface of the broad ligament of the uterus. The human ovary is typically 3–4 cm long, 2–2.5 cm wide, and 1–1.5 cm thick. It is connected to the uterus by its own ligament. Blood supply is from the ovarian arteries branching off the abdominal aorta or left renal artery and by branches of the uterine arteries. The ovary is innervated by the celiac, superior mesenteric, and hypogastric plexuses. Sex hormones, mostly estrogens and progesterone, are also formed in the ovaries. Ovarian activity is regulated by the follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones.

N. S. LEBEDKINA

Pathology. Salpingoophoritis is the most common ovarian disease. Ovarian apoplexy, or hemorrhage into an ovary, is usually associated with symptoms of acute abdomen. It may occur in any phase of the menstrual cycle but generally during ovulation. A rare occurrence is ovarian pregnancy. Ovarian cysts and benign epithelial tumors (cystomas) are common, but they usually do not interfere with the menstrual function of the ovaries. The most frequent complications of cysts and cystomas are twisting of the pedicle and rupture of the capsule with symptoms of acute abdomen. Endometriosis and malignant tumors may also arise in the ovaries. Ovarian cancer generally develops between the ages of 45 and 55 years, usually as a result of degeneration of a cystoma.

Emergency surgery is indicated in the presence of noninflammatory diseases of the ovaries (cysts, tumors, hemorrhages) accompanied by symptoms of acute abdomen. Preventive gynecological check-ups help in the early detection of an ovarian malignancy.

REFERENCES

Rukovodstvo po endokrinologii. Moscow, 1973.
Eskin, I. A. Osnovy fiziologii endokrinnykh zhelez, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1975.

A. P. KIRIUSHCHENKOV

ovary

[′ōv·ə·rē] (anatomy) A glandular organ that produces hormones and gives rise to ova in female vertebrates. (botany) The enlarged basal portion of a pistil that bears the ovules in angiosperms.

ovary

1. either of the two female reproductive organs, which produce ova and secrete oestrogen hormones 2. the corresponding organ in vertebrate and invertebrate animals 3. Botany the hollow basal region of a carpel containing one or more ovules. In some plants the carpels are united to form a single compound ovary

ovary

[o´vah-re] the female gonad; either of the sex glands in the female in which the ova are formed. Ovaries are paired oval organs approximately 3 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick, one on either side of the uterus, usually near the lateral pelvic wall adjacent to the anterior superior iliac spine. They have two basic functions: ovulation and the production of hormones, chiefly estrogen and progesterone, which influence a woman's feminine physical characteristics and affect the process of reproduction. ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death among women in the United States. adj., adj ovar´ian.

o·va·ry

(ō'vă-rē), [TA] One of the paired female reproductive glands containing the oocytes or germ cells; the ovaries stroma is a vascular connective tissue containing numbers of ovarian follicles enclosing the oocytes; surrounding this stroma is a more condensed layer of stroma called the tunica albuginea. Synonym(s): ovarium [TA], female gonad, genital gland (2) [Mod. L. ovarium, fr. ovum, egg]

ovary

(ō′və-rē)n. pl. ova·ries 1. a. One of the paired female reproductive organs that produce eggs and female sex hormones in humans and other vertebrates.b. An analogous gland in an invertebrate animal, such as a flatworm or a mollusk.2. Botany The ovule-bearing lower part of a pistil that ripens into a fruit.

ovary

Either of the two female gonads, which are located next to the fallopian tubes and serve as endocrine glands and reserves for eggs (ova) that are released monthly, from menarche to menopause.

occult primary malignancy

Occult cancer, unknown primary A malignancy of unknown 1º site or origin that is symptomless, which first manifests itself as metastases or secondary–paraneoplastic phenomena, and usually has a poor prognosis; OPMs are problematic as appropriate therapy requires that the primary malignancy be eradicated, and many remain obscure despite aggressive diagnostic work-up; certain malignancies metastasize to certain sites with greater than expected frequency; in OPMs affecting the brain, the primary arises in the lungs in up to 85% Treatment Up to 30% of Pts with metastases from an occult primary adenoCA may respond to chemotherapy–mitomycin C, adriamycin, vincristine; poor response is more common in ♂ and in Pts with liver and/or infradiaphragmatic metastases Occult primary malignancies Bone Breast, bronchus, prostate, thyroid, kidney CNS Breast, bronchus, kidney, colon Head & neck Oropharynx, nasopharynx–most are squamous cell carcinoma; also adenocarcinoma, melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, oat cell, salivary gland, thyroid carcinomas Liver CA of stomach, colon, breast, pancreas, or bronchus Lung Breast, colon, kidney, melanoma, sarcoma, stomach, testis, thyroid Lymph nodes • Cervix Naso– and oropharynx, thyroid, larynx, lymphoma • Supraclavicular Bronchi, breast, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, colorectal,
lymphoma • Axillary Breast, melanoma, lymphoma • Inguinal Urogenital tract, anus, melanoma, lymphoma Ovary Stomach, colon Serosal surfaces Bronchi, breast, ovary, lymphoma Skin Melanoma, breast, bronchus, stomach, kidney

o·va·ry

(ō'vă-rē) [TA] One of the paired female reproductive glands containing the oocytes (ova) or germ cells; its stroma is a vascular connective tissue containing ovarian follicles, each enclosing an oocyte; surrounding this stroma is a denser layer called the tunica albuginea.
Synonym(s): ovarium [TA] , oophoron. [Mod. L. ovarium, fr. ovum, egg]

ovary

One of the paired female gonads, situated in the pelvis, one on each side of the womb (uterus), just under and inward of the open ends of the FALLOPIAN TUBES. Ovaries are almond-shaped and about 3 cm long. They are the site of egg (OVUM) formation and release one or more ova each month about 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual period. This is called ovulation. See also OOCYTE, OOGONIA.

ovary

the organ that produces the female gametes by a process called GAMETOGENESIS. In mammals, it also gives rise to the CORPUS LUTEUM from the GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE after ovulation, and in vertebrates generally produces the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. In plants, the ovary occurs at the base of the CARPEL and contains one or more OVULES. See GYNOECIUM for inferior and superior ovaries.

Ovary

One of the two almond-shaped glands in the female reproductive system responsible for producing eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Mentioned in: Dysmenorrhea, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Infertility, Infertility Drugs, Menopause, Oral Contraceptives, Ovarian Torsion, Turner Syndrome

o·va·ry

(ō'vă-rē) [TA] One of the paired female reproductive glands containing the oocytes or germ cells. [Mod. L. ovarium, fr. ovum, egg]

Patient discussion about ovary

Q. Dear Doctors,I had cyst in my left ovary and poped it off,after that I have a small pain every day. in HSG everything was OK.my Pop smir is ok and in histroscopy every thing was ok. would you please ask me why I have this pain?A. as Ann already mentioned - this is a good place to get good advises, not diagnosis... my advise to you is to ask the gyno how long there should be pain after the surgery. i'm sure it take couple of days minimum but i would ask him about it. if there's something wrong he'll know what to do.
sorry i can't help more...

Q. my little sister have her periode badly.it stay for a months somethimes what can cause that? Since she start having her periode is been a problem and anybody cannot give us a straight answer she's been a hospitolize and had to have blood transfussion she's always anemic and sh'es been putting on pills but her body did not react good to it we had to stop.Sometimes she fells so weak that she pass out.The doctor say she may need to hospitolized again she doenst want to and we dont know how to help her she just wants a normal teenager and get ready to go away to collegebut we are scare that may not happens,she loves school so much and she feltthat she will never be a normal woman like everybody and scare that she may never have children one day i tell her to not be worry about it but i feel helpless.Please tell me what's wrong with her since nobody seems to give us a straight answers.Is follicular cyst of ovaries can put her in so much pain.A. The menstrual cycle is not the same for every woman. On average, menstrual flow occurs every 28 days (with most women having cycles between 24 and 34 days), and lasts about 4 days. However, there is wide variation in timing and duration that is still considered normal, especially if your periods began within the last few years. Causes:
Anovulation (failure of ovaries to produce, mature, or release eggs)
Endometrial polyps (the endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus)
Endometrial hyperplasia (thickening/build up of the uterine wall)
Endometrial cancer
Uterine fibroids
For the full article: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/menstrual-periods-heavy-prolonged-or-irregular/overview.html Hope this helps.

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occult primary malignancy

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noun the organ that bears the ovules of a flower

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noun (vertebrates) one of usually two organs that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone

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