ovary

An ovary is one of the two female reproductive glands located in the pelvis. Each ovary is paired, almond-shaped, and connected to the uterus by the ovarian ligament. It produces oocytes (eggs) and secretes hormones, principally estrogens and progesterone, with smaller amounts of androgens.

Anatomy and tissue: The ovary is covered by a germinal epithelium and enclosed by a dense capsule called the tunica albuginea. The interior comprises a cortex, which houses follicles at various developmental stages, and a medulla containing blood vessels and nerves. The surface and internal organization support folliculogenesis and ovulation.

Blood supply and drainage: The ovarian arteries arise from the abdominal aorta and supply the ovary. Venous drainage occurs via the ovarian veins, typically converging to the IVC on the right and to the left renal vein on the left. Lymphatics drain to para-aortic (lumbar) nodes; autonomic nerves provide innervation.

Physiology and development: Oogenesis begins before birth with oogonia forming primary oocytes that arrest in prophase I. At puberty, hormonal cycles recruit developing follicles; typically one becomes dominant each cycle. Ovulation releases a secondary oocyte, and the remaining follicular tissue forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates to corpus albicans.

Clinical relevance: Functional ovarian cysts, such as follicular and corpus luteum cysts, are common. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a frequent endocrine disorder affecting ovulation and metabolism. Ovarian cancer is a major cause of death among female genital cancers; epithelial tumors are most common, with risk increasing with age and BRCA1/2 mutations. Diagnosis often involves ultrasound and, when indicated, biomarker testing, though no screening test is perfect.