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This image shows a section through the cortical region of a mature cat ovary. The outermost layer consists of a very thin, darkly staining germinal epithelium, beneath which is a thicker layer of fibrous tissue called the tunica albuginea. The earliest stage of follicular development are the primordial follicles, which consist of a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flat follicular cells. The cortex of the ovary contains many primordial follicles, which may eventually develop into mature Graafian follicles. |
