Final answer:
The ovaries are small, almond-sized organs lateral to the uterus, inferior to the fallopian tubes, and anterior to the rectum. They are supported by mesovarium, suspensory, and ovarian ligaments, and contain follicular cells, which are the functional units nurturing the eggs.
Step-by-step explanation:
To identify the ovaries on an anatomical model, you would look for two small, egg-shaped organs located on either side of the uterus. Using directional terms, the ovaries are lateral to the uterus (meaning they are positioned to the side of the uterus), inferior to the fallopian tubes (they are below the tubes), and anterior to the rectum (in front of the rectum when in anatomical position). Each ovary is about the size of an almond, measuring approximately 2 to 3 cm in length.
The ovaries are held in place by several ligaments: the mesovarium which is an extension of the peritoneum connecting the ovaries to the broad ligament, and the suspensory ligament which contains the ovarian blood and lymph vessels. Additionally, the ovarian ligament attaches each ovary to the uterus. The functional units within the ovaries are the follicular cells that surround and support the development of eggs, or oocytes.