full free access: Somatic stem cells of the ovary and their relationship to human ovarian cancers* -- StemBook -- NCBI Bookshelf

define: 'somatic': non-inherited; also refers to all of the cells in the body except the reproductive cells (eg sperm and eggs)

"Mammalian ovaries undergo considerable remodeling during the lifetime of the organism, leading to the supposition that somatic stem cells account for or contribute to this cyclic regeneration. While much of ovarian stem cell research has been focused on germ cells, recent interest in normal somatic stem cells has been driven by their possible links to ovarian cancer stem cells. While evidence for stem cell biology with regards to granulosa cells is scant, recent work has isolated potential somatic stem cells for the theca and ovarian surface epithelium. Additionally, evidence for potential cancer initiating cells for ovarian epithelial carcinomas continues to mount......"