REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

7.5. FEMALEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. The ovaries

The ovaries are solid, ovoid structures located within the lateral pelvic cavity.

Ovary Structure

The ovaries are subdivided into a medulla and an outer cortex.
The medulla is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
The cortex contains follicles and is covered by cuboidal epithelium.

3. Primordial Follicles

1. During prenatal development, small groups of cells form millions of primordial follicles, each of which consists of a primary oocyte surrounded by follicular cells.
2. Early in development, the primary oocytes begin to undergo meiosis, but the process halts and does not resume until puberty.
3. Only 400,000 oocytes remain at puberty, and only 400 to 500 will be released from the ovary during the reproductive life of the female.