[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Ovaries [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Ovaries The ovaries are two almond-sized organs on each side of the uterus; they hold the eggs, release one each cycle and make oestrogen and progesterone. Official name: Ovary [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=ovaries&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two almond-shaped glands, about 3 x 2 x 1.5 cm, on the side walls of the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) beside the uterus. ## What it does Hold the eggs, release one each cycle (ovulation) and make oestrogen and progesterone. ## Key points - The ovarian fossa lies between the external iliac vessels in front and the ureters and internal iliac artery behind, with the obturator nerve in its floor: ovarian disease can refer pain to the medial thigh - Ovarian torsion twists the ovary on its ligaments, blocking venous outflow first, then arterial inflow; an enlarged ovary (cyst or tumour) is the usual lead point, and Doppler flow can still look normal - Ovarian cancer spreads mainly across the peritoneum (omentum, [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/), paracolic gutters) and by lymph along the ovarian vessels to the [para-aortic lymph nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-lumbar-nodes/) - The right ovarian vein drains into the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/), the left into the [left renal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-renal-vein/) ## Key facts **Where** Ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall (between external and internal iliac vessels, ureter behind); attached by the mesovarium to the broad ligament **Blood supply** [Ovarian artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/) (from aorta at L2) in the suspensory ligament; ovarian branches of the [uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-artery/) **Nerve** Ovarian plexus (T10–T11 sympathetic; referred pain to the periumbilical region) **Function** Oogenesis and ovulation; oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin; lymph to para-aortic (lumbar) nodes ## Relations **Lateral** Ovarian fossa: parietal [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/) over the [obturator nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-nerve/) and vessels on the lateral pelvic wall **Behind** [Ureters](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) and the [internal iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-iliac-artery/) **In front** [Mesovarium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesovarium/), attaching its anterior border (hilum) to the back of the [broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/) **Above** [Infundibulum and fimbriae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infundibulum-of-uterine-tube/) of the tube, curving over its upper (tubal) pole, and the [suspensory ligament of ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suspensory-ligament-of-ovary/) **Medial** [Uterine tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/) and loops of small bowel; on the left, the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/) ## How to find it Usually not felt, or felt as a small, mobile, slightly tender almond through a lateral [fornix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fornix/) on bimanual examination; an ovary that can be felt after menopause is investigated. At laparoscopy it lies behind the broad ligament, below the tube, against the lateral pelvic wall. ## On imaging Transvaginal ultrasound shows follicles as small anechoic cysts, a dominant follicle near mid-cycle and a corpus luteum with a ring of flow on Doppler. In torsion the ovary is enlarged and oedematous with follicles pushed to the edge, sometimes with a whirlpool sign of the twisted pedicle. ## Common problems - Functional cysts (common, usually go away). - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). - Ovarian torsion (twisting): sudden severe pain, an emergency. - Ovarian cancer, often found late. ## How it is diagnosed Pelvic ultrasound; hormone blood tests; tumour markers in selected cases. ## Treatment - Watchful waiting for simple cysts; hormonal treatment for PCOS. - Surgery for torsion, large or suspicious masses. ## Clinical notes - Krukenberg tumours: metastases to the ovaries, often both, classically from the [stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/) - A ruptured ovarian cyst can bleed into the [rectouterine pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectouterine-pouch/) and mimic an ectopic pregnancy ## Development The ovaries form on the posterior abdominal wall at upper lumbar level and descend into the pelvis: that is why the ovarian artery arises from the aorta near the [kidneys](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) and their lymph drains to para-aortic nodes. ## Related conditions - [Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (BRCA1/BRCA2)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hereditary-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-syndrome/) - [Endometriosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/endometriosis/) - [Polycystic ovary syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/) - [Pelvic inflammatory disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/) - [Ovarian torsion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-torsion/) - [Ovarian cyst](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cyst/) - [Ovarian cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) - [Menopause and climacteric syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/menopause-and-climacteric-syndrome/) - [Primary ovarian insufficiency](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/primary-ovarian-insufficiency/) - [Female infertility](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/female-infertility/) - [Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder/) - [Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/functional-hypothalamic-amenorrhoea/) - [Ovarian germ-cell and sex cord–stromal tumours](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-germ-cell-and-sex-cord-stromal-tumours/) - [Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-hyperstimulation-syndrome/) - [Turner syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/turner-syndrome/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why can ovarian disease refer pain to the medial thigh? The obturator nerve lies in the floor of the ovarian fossa, against which the ovary rests. ## In ovarian torsion, which flow is blocked first, and can Doppler look normal? Venous outflow first, then arterial inflow; Doppler flow can still look normal. An enlarged ovary is the usual lead point. ## Where do the right and left ovarian veins drain? The right into the inferior vena cava; the left into the left renal vein. ## Why does lymph from the ovaries drain to the para-aortic nodes? The ovaries form on the posterior abdominal wall at upper lumbar level and descend, so their vessels arise near the kidneys. ## What is a Krukenberg tumour of the ovaries? A metastasis to the ovaries, often both, classically from the stomach. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/ovary/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** ovarium TA2 3470 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Ovario DeCS D010053 **English (TA2)** Ovary **Also called** oophoron ## Related - [Infundibulum and fimbriae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infundibulum-of-uterine-tube/) - [Ovarian ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/proper-ovarian-ligament/) - [Suspensory ligament of ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suspensory-ligament-of-ovary/) - [Mesovarium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesovarium/) - [Ovarian artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=10230); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Ovary](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545187/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/