Ovary (human): Difference between revisions
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The human ovary is the female[[ gonad]], and is an important part of the reproductive system. Ordinarily, women have a pair of ovaries. Situated in the pelvis, this pair of organs have a changing role throughout the lifespan. During the | The human ovary is the female[[ gonad]], and is an important part of the reproductive system. Ordinarily, women have a pair of ovaries. Situated in the pelvis, this pair of organs have a changing role throughout the lifespan. During the childbearing years, from [[menarche]] to [[menopause]], the ovaries produce ovum, the mature egg cell that, if fertilized by a sperm cell, can develop into a baby. The ovaries also are a major source of the [[hormone]]s [[estrogen]] and [[progesterone]], that are produced in varying levels throughout the [[ovulatory cycle]]. | ||
==The development of the ovaries in the embryo== | ==The development of the ovaries in the embryo== | ||
Revision as of 11:29, 12 May 2007
The human ovary is the femalegonad, and is an important part of the reproductive system. Ordinarily, women have a pair of ovaries. Situated in the pelvis, this pair of organs have a changing role throughout the lifespan. During the childbearing years, from menarche to menopause, the ovaries produce ovum, the mature egg cell that, if fertilized by a sperm cell, can develop into a baby. The ovaries also are a major source of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, that are produced in varying levels throughout the ovulatory cycle.
The development of the ovaries in the embryo
The ovaries in infancy and chidhood
The ovaries in adolescence
The ovaries undergo a major change with the coming of puberty. The initial period of the menstrual cycle, which ushers in the female milestone called menarche, is usually anovulatory - that is, no ovum are produced.