Frog: T.S. Ovary

MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF OVARY

 

Histologically, the wall of the ovary is made up of

1. An outer epithelium,

2. An inner epthelium,

3. Connective tissue,

4. Blood vessels and

5. Nerve fibers.

The outer epithelium and the inner epithelium are connected with each other by connective tissue. The outer epithelium is formed of flattened cells. At certain intervals in these flattened cells there are somewhat larger cells that participate in the formation of ovarian follicles. These larger cells form the germinal epithelium. The germinal epithelial cells form ovarian follicles through the process of cell multiplication and growth. These ovarian follicles are of different sizes. This difference in size depends upon the level of their development. Each ovarian follicle is formed of a large and centrally located developing egg cell (primary oocyte). The egg cell (primary oocyte) is surrounded by follicular cells and almost completely enclosed in the inner epithelial layer of the ovary. The inner epithelium is uniformly thick and made up of flattened epithelial cells.