Ovarian follicle maturation. Computer artwork showing the end of the follicular phase (top) and the ovulatory phase (bottom) of ovarian follicle matur

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Ovarian follicle maturation. Computer artwork showing the end of the follicular phase (top) and the ovulatory phase (bottom) of ovarian follicle maturation. At top left the follicle is beginning to take up fluid and develop a central cavity (antrum, grey). The follicle is surrounded by two layers of connective tissue, the theca interna (orange)and the theca externa (blue). Just before ovulation the oocyte undergoes meiotic division, to become a secondary oocyte, and the follicle enlarges to become a Graafian follicle. At ovulation the oocyte is released from the ovary in to the fallopian tube.

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Size: 5000px × 3524px
Photo credit: © FRANCIS LEROY, BIOCOSMOS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomical, anatomy, annotated, antrum, artwork, background, biological, biology, black, cell, developing, development, female, follicle, follicular, graafian, illustration, labeled, labelled, labels, maturation, maturing, oocyte, ovarian, ovulating, ovulation, ovulatory, pellucida, phase, primary, reproduction, reproductive, secondary, stage, system, text, zona