title: Size and location of the fetal human ovary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the development and the localization of the ovaries during the fetal period.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-four ovaries obtained from 77 human fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation were used in this study. Firstly, the shapes and the positions of the ovaries were established. Second, the localization of the ovaries with respect to linea terminalis, ureters, and the iliac arteries were determined. Finally, the dimensions and the weight of the ovaries were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the fetal period, the ovaries were most commonly almond shaped and had an oblique orientation. In the 1st trimester the midpoint of the long axis of the fetal ovaries were at the level of linea terminalis. In the 2nd and 3rd trimester and full-term fetuses, it was observed that the ovaries were not in ovarian fossa, suggesting that descensus ovary was in progression during these times. During the intrauterine period, the ovaries were most commonly located anterior to the ureters and over the common iliac artery, only to migrate to its final location between the internal and external iliac arteries towards the end of the 40th week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that the ovaries did not assume the position of the adults at the end of the fetal period, rather continued its descent after the birth. We believe our findings about the fetal ovaries will be useful in obstetrics, fetal pathology, and forensic pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Suleyman Demirel, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey. osulak67@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sulak
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malas
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esen
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Suleyman Murat
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tagil
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*