Every girl and woman just needs to know how her body works. Moreover, he has simply magical powers, namely, the ability to reproduce a person in the light.
We propose in this paper to consider the structure of the ovary, uterus, their functions. We will also talk about some problems that the fair sex may encounter. To begin with, the ovaries are paired glands of sexual purpose. Ovaries perform two main functions: generative and endocrine. We will talk about this a bit later. We suggest starting with the structure of these gonads.
Ovarian structure
As we have already said, the ovaries are paired organs, which are the reproductive glands of the female body. It is there that the formation of eggs and their maturation occurs. Before we consider the structure of the ovary, we will determine how it is located relative to other female organs. The ovaries are located on both sides of the uterus. Each of them is located near the side wall of the pelvis.
They have a pale bluish color, the surface is tuberous, the ovaries themselves are oval and slightly flattened. The structure of the ovary is actually a very difficult question. Their surfaces are distinguished:
The edges:
Two ends:
Now a little about the parameters. In a matured girl, the ovaries can reach the following sizes, of course, you need to take into account age and individual characteristics:
Parameter | Norms |
Length | 2.5 to 5 cm |
Width | 1.5 to 3 cm |
Thickness | 0.5 to 1.5 cm |
Weight | 5 to 8 g |
Each ovary has a coating in the form of a protein coat; they are connected with the abdominal part only by means of fusion of the peritoneum and mesenteric margin. Under the protein coat there is also a cortical coating, which is much stronger than the first, there is also glandular tissue. In the very center is the so-called brain substance, which is distinguished by the presence of many vessels and its loose consistency, which is needed as connective tissue.
We also note that the cortical substance contains follicles, which are divided into types:
The first ones on our list are unripe follicles, the second are already fully matured and contain follicular fluid. It is in them that the main germ cells are formed - the ovum. A mature follicle and an egg are involved in the ovulation process. The first bursts, the egg with the help of a fringe moves into the uterine cavity through the fallopian tube. Sometimes it happens that the follicle begins to dissolve, without having finished its maturation.
Uterine structure
Consider the following question - the structure of the uterus and ovaries. These two organs are directly related. Their joint work allows reproducing offspring and continuing the human race. The uterus has the shape of a pear, its weight is normal - from 40 to 60 grams. In its structure distinguish:
It is important to note the fact that the uterus is a hollow organ, that is, inside there is a free cavity. Its walls are in contact, which is why this cavity looks like a gap.
Select the layers of the walls:
- the endometrium, or mucous membrane, is the inner layer;
- myometrium, or muscle, is the middle layer of the uterine wall;
- the serous membrane and peritoneum are the last, outer layer of the uterus.
Each layer undergoes any changes in the life of a woman. The endometrium can be from one to three millimeters thick (it all depends on the phase of the cycle). There are no changes in the myometrium before pregnancy and childbirth, its thickness ranges from three to ten millimeters. The last layer covers all female organs.
We suggest briefly highlighting the main functions and purposes of this body:
- infection protection;
- self-cleaning;
- sperm transport;
- implantation;
- creation of conditions for the embryo;
- expulsion of the fetus (during childbirth);
- strengthening the pelvic floor.
Ovarian function
We examined such genital organs as the uterus and ovaries, their structure. And ovarian function is our next question. At the very beginning of this article, we mentioned that the ovaries perform two main functions:
The first function is the formation of germ cells. We offer a brief look at the process of ovogenesis. It differs from the process of spermatogenesis, there are three stages in it:
- reproduction;
- height;
- maturation.
During the first stage, the reproduction of oogonies occurs, which in most cases occurs during intrauterine development. This process stops when the cell enters meiosis. At this stage, development stops until puberty. The growth stage proceeds already in the mature ovary, which is functioning. The last stage begins with the formation of second-order oocytes, and this process ends with the release as a result of ovulation.
The main difference from spermatogenesis is the lack of a formation stage.
We mentioned another function of the ovaries - endocrine. Granuloses, whose functions are regulated to a greater extent by lutropin, produce hormones:
- estradiol formed from the precursor of testosterone;
- estrone, it helps the formation of estriol in the liver and placenta;
- progesterone, which is simply essential for ovulation.
Ovarian development
We examined the structure of a woman's ovary, now we offer a very brief talk about its development.
It is worth noting that the formation of this organ begins in the prenatal development. Already in the fifth month, girls have fully developed sex glands that have follicles. After which they atrophy. The ovaries will form completely in girls at the age of two years.
Pregnancy
We examined the structure of the ovaries, tubes, and ovum. But what happens in the female body during pregnancy? The ovaries have a decisive role, namely the production of necessary hormones. It is also the cradle for mature eggs. During fertilization of the egg, a corpus luteum forms in one of the two ovaries. It is needed for enhanced production of progesterone. The corpus luteum helps the placenta to fully form, at the twelfth week it begins to die, since its main function is performed.
You should also know that during pregnancy, the woman’s ovaries go into hibernation so that another ovulation does not occur.
Exhaustion
We already examined the internal structure of the ovary, but did not say that their depletion occurs. What it is? This disease is briefly called SIA (Ovarian Depletion Syndrome). SIA contains a whole range of symptoms:
- amenorrhea;
- disorders in the vegetative system;
- infertility until a woman reaches 40 years.
Doctors can make this diagnosis, provided that the woman has not previously experienced difficulties with menstrual and reproductive function. Despite this complex of symptoms, this disease is quite treatable.
Multifollicularity
The multifollicular structure of the ovaries is almost no different from the structure of a healthy one, the only difference is that in the ovaries there are simultaneously eight or more follicles. The norm is from 4 to 7, of which only one, less often two, reaches full maturity. Multifollicularity can be detected using ultrasound (ultrasound), and the picture is as follows: in the ovaries there are more than seven follicles in the ripening stage.
It is also important to note that it is difficult to determine the exact diagnosis using ultrasound, because multifollicularity can strongly resemble polycystic. If they saw a threat, then they appoint a consultation with a gynecologist and an analysis to determine the hormonal background.
Delete
In some cases, the ovaries can be removed. Consider briefly the options when they are removed:
- hormone-dependent breast tumor;
- cyst;
- cancer;
- inflamed pelvic organs.
The ovaries, the structural features of which we examined, are often removed together with the fallopian tubes. After removing two ovaries, you can no longer talk about the possibility of becoming pregnant. First, the ovulation process stops and the menstrual cycle stops. Further, an estrogen deficiency is noted in the body, as a result of which the uterine mucosa atrophies.
We examined the structure of the ovary, listed some diseases. Remember that women's health is very important to protect, because the ability to have children depends on this.