Ovaries By Carla Fera & Gina Rossetti

Physical Description Ovaries have an oval shape. It is located at the lateral wall of the pelvis in a region called the ovarian fossa. They’re attached to the outer layer of the uterus through ovarian ligaments.

Molecular Description Follicular Cells- the outermost layer that consists of flat epithelial cells. They cover the ovary. Granulosa Cells- they go around the follicular cells. Their tissue is straitified. Tunica Albuginea- a covering of the cortex. This is made of short connective fibers. Cortex- this layer is composed of connective tissue cells. It has many follicles surrounding it. The cortex thins out with age. Ovarian Medulla- the innermost layer that contains many blood vessels. This looks similar to the cortex but it does not have follicles.

Chemical Description The hormones that ovaries produce are estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is mainly produced in the ovaries but smaller amounts are found in the liver, adrenal glands, and breasts. Estrogen main functions is to ready the body for conception and pregnancy. Once a woman hits menopause the production of estrogen drops. Progesterone is secreted during ovulation to prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized, then progesterone levels drop and the woman’s menstrual period begins.

Pictures Molecular Illustrated Actual

Function The ovaries produce 1 egg every month. During ovulation either the left or right ovary release an egg that can be fertilized. When the egg is released it travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. The other function is regulate hormones. After a woman goes through menopause, the function of ovaries decreases. They significantly slow down their estrogen production. This unfortunately can lead to osteoporosis or heart disease. The lack of estrogen is made up by the small amounts of testosterone in the body, which gets converted to estrogen.

Other Organs After an egg is released from an ovary it travels through the fallopian tubes. The egg is pushed along by many cilia within the inner tubes. The egg is then implanted in the uterus, which protects and the embryo. When the embryo is fully developed it is delivered through the vagina, or birth canal.

Diseases: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a problem that causes hormonal unbalances. Tiny cysts begin to grow on the ovaries. Since the ovaries make small amount of testosterone, PCOS causes the ovaries to produce more. Symptoms: acne, weight gain, growth of body hair, irregular menstrual periods, infertility, and cysts grow on the ovaries. PCOS can be caused by hormone changes. It also runs in families. Treatment: exercise and healthy diet to lose the extra and weight and regulate menstrual cycles. Doctors may also prescribe birth control pills, metformin, or fertility medicines.

Diseases: Ovarian Cysts Ovarian cysts are fluid sacs that lie on the surface of an ovary. Many women develop a cyst at some point of their lives. Most ovarian cysts are harmless but in rare cases they can cause serious problems. Cysts vary in size and they be a small as a pea or a big as an orange. Symptoms: irregular periods, pelvic pain, nausea, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen Causes: Every month follicles produces hormones and release an egg. Sometimes the follicle keeps growing which results in a cyst. Treatment: birth control pills or surgery

Dermoid Cysts Dermoid cysts, otherwise called mature cystic teratoma, are growths that can contain hair, skin, fat, nails, bones, teeth, or glands. These cysts can grow on the ovaries, brain, sinuses, or the spinal cord. They are caused by previous cysts, infertility, hormonal unbalance, & early menstruation. They are usually always benign and very rarely cancerous. It can cause abdominal pain if it ruptures, inflammation, and a fever. Doctors typically remove the cyst through conventional surgery.

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