An ovary, or female gonad, is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. The two ovaries are small glands that produce eggs and release hormones. Ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is attached to the uterus by a ligament.

The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics, such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

What Is Ovulation And When Can I Get Pregnant?

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Fig 1: (Egg Cells At Rest) Only about 400,000 ovarian follicles are left to develop into mature eggs by the time a girls menstrual cycle begins.

When a girl is born, she already has about 1,000,000 ovarian follicles. Each ovarian follicle contains a hollow ball of cells with an immature egg in the center. The body absorbs approximately half of ovarian follicles during childhood.

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Fig 2: (Ripening Of An Egg Cell) During early development of an egg cell, blue water accumulates around the egg cell forming a follicle. It is small blister like structure. Water keeps accumulating and it increases in size.

A drop in the hormone estrogen to a low level starts the process of ovulation. When this drop occurs, the hypothalamus increases secretion of hormones, sending a message to the pituitary gland to increase its' secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH.

The ovaries produce eggs (ova), about the size and shape of an almond and female hormones. During each monthly menstrual cycle, one egg is released from one ovary.

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Fig 3: (The Cell Grows) It is much larger and is clearly visible.

The follicle that contains the maturing egg eases toward the surface of the ovary before ovulation occurs.

Although only one egg usually fully matures during ovulation, somewhere between ten and 20 follicles begin the process of maturation monthly. The excess ovarian follicles are reabsorbed before ovulation occurs.

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Fig 4: (Mature Egg Cell)? Approximately 2 weeks after the last menstruation, the egg cell is bulging out of the ovary.

The follicle is now approximately 20-25 mm in diameter.

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Fig 5: (Ovulation) The follicle ruptures and the egg cell is released.

The term ovulation refers to the egg cell being released from the ovary.

Next, the ovary travels to the oviducts, or the funnel-shaped ends of the fallopian tubes, where it begins its long journey of several days into the uterus. Using a set of finger-like projections, one of your fallopian tubes grabs hold of the egg. The egg is fertilized inside the fallopian tube near the ovary.

The delicate inner lining of fallopian tubes contain Cilia, which are constantly beating microscopic hairs that help to move the egg towards the uterus. After the sperm fertilizes the egg, it becomes an embryo. This embryo continues to be guided through your fallopian tube until it reaches the uterus for implantation. This process of conception can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It take five to six days for the fertilized egg to reach the uterus.

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Fig 7: (Changes Are Happening) A new structure develops from the remains of the follicle which released the egg cell, the corpus luteum. (Latin meaning yellow body.)

 

What Can Go Wrong With The Ovaries?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects an estimated seven percent of all women. It is the most common hormonal disorder among women. Since the symptoms can vary from woman to woman it is often difficult to accurately diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome. It cause significant long-term health consequences, a quick and accurate diagnosis, followed by proper treatment is urgent.

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian Cancer