Page 848 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 21.5 | Ovary: Longitudinal Section of

Feline (Cat) Ovary Showing Numerous Follicles

and Corpora Lutea

This low-magnification photomicrograph shows a section of a feline (cat) ovary.
The surface is covered with a low cuboidal, or squamous germinal epithelium
(1), that continues with the mesothelium (6) of the visceral peritoneum that
covers the dense connective tissue of the suspensory ligament, the mesovarium

(8). Blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter and supply the ovarian
medulla (7) through the mesovarium (8). Located inferior to the germinal
epithelium is the connective tissue tunica albuginea (2) that encloses the ovary.
Inferior to the tunica albuginea (2) is the cortex of the ovary containing light-

staining and small primordial follicles (4). Deeper in the cortex are the
developing primary follicles (5) and larger antral follicles (9) filled with liquor
folliculi (follicular fluid). The ovulated mature follicles have been transformed
into temporary corpora lutea (3) in which the wall collapsed on the former

antral cavity. The granulosa cells that surrounded the antral cavity are
transformed into the granulosa lutein cells of the corpora lutea (3).

FIGURE 21.5 ■ Ovary: longitudinal section of a feline (cat) ovary showing
numerous follicles and corpora lutea. Stain: Mallory-Azan. ×6.5.

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