Ovulation

Ovulation is the process in the menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg) that participates in reproduction. Ovulation also occurs in the estrous cycle of animals, which differs in many fundamental ways to the menstrual cycle.

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Note: This article deals primarily with human ovulation; nonhuman animal ovulation is touched on briefly at the conclusion.

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Menstrual cycle: The menstrual cycle is the set of recurring physiological changes in a female's body that are under the control of the reproductive hormone system and necessary for reproduction. In women, menstrual cycles occur typically on a monthly basis between puberty and menopause. Besides humans, only other ...

Ovarian follicle: Ovarian follicles or Graafian follicles (after Regnier de Graaf) are the roughly spherical cell aggregations in the ovary containing an ovum and from which the egg is released during ovulation. It consists of an external fibro-vascular coat, an internal coat of nucleated cells, and a transparent, al...

Ovum: An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. Both animals and seed plants have ova. The term ovule is used for the ovum of seed plants and for the young ovum of an animal....

Ovulation related Images and Photos (experimental)

Mammalian Ovulation. Ovulation Normally Occurs Midway Through the Menstrual Cycle

Seminal Fluid from "Theorie Positive de L'Ovulation Spontanee et de La Fecondation..." 1847