Ovarii

Ovarii, in anatomical terminology, is the Latin plural form of ovarium and refers to the ovaries, the paired female reproductive organs. In humans, they produce oocytes and secrete hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, supporting oocyte maturation, ovulation, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Anatomy: Each ovary lies in the pelvic cavity on the lateral side of the uterus. The organ has a outer cortex rich in developing follicles and a central medulla containing supportive tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. At birth, the cortex contains primordial follicles; during reproductive life, follicles grow through stages to become mature Graafian follicles, one of which releases an oocyte during ovulation. The remaining follicle becomes the corpus luteum.

Lifecycle: Humans are typically born with hundreds of thousands of primordial follicles; by puberty about 400-500 follicles are ovulated in a lifetime. Eggs not ovulated remain in various stages of atresia. Hormonal interactions between the ovaries and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulate the menstrual cycle.

Support and supply: The suspensory ligament carries ovarian vessels to the pelvic wall; the proper ovarian ligament connects the ovary to the uterus. Blood supply comes from the ovarian arteries; venous drainage occurs via the ovarian veins (right to the inferior vena cava, left to the left renal vein). Nerves and lymphatics accompany the vessels, with lymph flow to para-aortic nodes.

Clinical relevance and variation: Ovarian conditions include cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and ovarian cancer. In many non-human mammals, ovaries are paired similarly, though in birds the left ovary is often functional while the right is vestigial.