Table of Contents
Anatomy | Histology | Diagrams / tables | Case reports | Clinical images | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stains | Negative stains | Videos | Additional referencesCite this page: Ghofrani M. Anatomy & histology. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/ovarynontumornormalhistology.html. Accessed January 18th, 2021.
Anatomy
- Paired ovoids on either side of the uterus close to lateral pelvic wall, behind broad ligament, anterior to rectum
Each ovary is connected: - Along its anterior (hilar) margin to posterior aspect of broad ligament by mesovarium (double fold of peritoneum)
- At its medial pole to ipsilateral uterine cornu by utero-ovarian ligament
- At superior aspect of lateral pole to lateral pelvic side wall by infundibulopelvic (suspensory) ligament
- Premenopausal ovaries are each 3 - 5 cm long and weigh 5 - 8 g; size and weight depends on amount of follicular derivatives (cysts and corpora albicantia / lutea); shrink to about half their size after menopause
- Neonates often have cysts, which resolve spontaneously (J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2007;20:397)
- Pink white exterior is initially smooth but gradually becomes more convoluted
- Cystic follicles and corpora lutea may be visible from outside
- Cut section may exhibit three zones: cortex, medulla and hilus, with follicular derivatives usually in the cortex and medulla
- Arterial supply: approximately 10 arterial branches from anastomotic arcade of ovarian artery (branch of aorta) and ovarian branch of uterine artery penetrate hilus into medulla and cortex
- Venous drainage: left ovarian vein drains to left renal vein, right ovarian vein drains to inferior vena cava
- Lymphatic drainage: originates predominantly from theca layer of follicles, exiting through the hilus, to the mesovarium, along the infundibulopelvic ligament, into upper paraaortic lymph nodes; may bypass to internal iliac, external iliac, common iliac, sacral, obturator, pelvic, retroperitoneal or inguinal nodes
- Function first described by Reinier de Graaf (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2000;124:1115)
- Ovulation: induces cyclic rupture and regenerative repair of the ovarian surface epithelium
Histology
Stages of follicular development:
- Primordial follicle: travels from yolk sac endoderm to ovary, develops into oogonia and oocytes, arrests at prophase of mitosis; neo-oogenesis may occur in adults (Endocrine 2005;26:301)
- Maturing follicle: oocyte with surrounding granulosa cell layer; lacks reticulum; contains Call-Exner bodies (rosette-like formations with central filamentous / eosinophilic material consisting of excess basal lamina) and theca cells (within follicle are luteinized and produce sex hormones, external to follicle are very cellular)
- Corpus luteum: 2 cm, round, yellow, lobulated structure with cystic center; has luteinized granulosa and theca cells; in pregnancy is larger, bright yellow with prominent central cavity, hyaline droplets and calcification
- Corpus albicans: remnant of corpus luteum
Case reports
- 70 year old woman with hilar mesonephric rests associated with nonteratoid prostatic differentiation (Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23:232)
Microscopic (histologic) images
Scroll to see all images:
AFIP images
Follicles:
Normal histology:
Corpus luteum:
Pregnancy related changes:
Miscellaneous:
Positive stains
Negative stains
Videos
Corpus luteum
Corpus albicans
Additional references