A suggestion as to the process of ovulation and ovarian cyst formation

Abstract

It is generally conceded, that pressure atrophy of the ovarian stroma is the chief means by which the extrusion of the ovum becomes possible.During the growth and maturation of the ovum, the cells of the Graafian follicle, after increasing greatly in number, begin to disintegrate and liquefy.From then onward, due it is thought to the different chemical composition of the liquor, thus forming in the follicle, or of the general content of the follicle, an endosmosis seems to be induced by which the liquor folliculi increases to a far greater amount than is thought possible to result from the liquefaction of the follicular cells.The follicle so distends that, following the direction of least resistance, one side of it approaches the free surface of the ovary, producing a bulging in this surface, dispersing the ovarian stroma, thinning its tunica albuginea and the overlying epithelium, and results in a compression of the blood capillaries intervening between it and the surface of the ovary.Clark has shown that the capillaries in the summit of the bulging are practically obliterated by the pressure.It is supposed that nourishment