The stroma of the ovary is a unique type of connective tissue abundantly supplied with blood vessels, consisting for the most part of spindle-shaped stroma cells. These appear similar to fibroblasts. The stroma also contains ordinary connective tissue such as reticular fibers and collagen. Ovarian stroma differs from typical connective tissue in that it contains a high number of cells. The stroma cells are distributed in such a way that the tissue appears to be whorled. Stromal cells associated with maturing follicles may acquire endocrine function and secrete estrogens. The entire ovarian stroma is highly vascular.[1]
| Stroma of ovary | |
|---|---|
Section of the ovary. 1. Outer covering.
1’. Attached border. 2. Central stroma. 3. Peripheral stroma. 4. Blood vessels. 5. Vesicular follicles in their earliest stage. 6, 7, 8. More advanced follicles. 9. An almost mature follicle. 9’. Follicle from which the ovum has escaped. 10. Corpus luteum. | |
Section of the fold in the mesonephros of a chick embryo of the fourth day. (Stroma of ovary labeled at center left.)
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| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | stroma ovarii |
| Anatomical terminology | |
On the surface of the organ this tissue is much condensed, and forms a layer (tunica albuginea) composed of short connective-tissue fibers, with fusiform cells between them.
The stroma of the ovary may contain interstitial cells resembling those of the testis.
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1256 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
