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| Ovary | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image The ovaries form part of the female reproductive system, and attach to the fallopian tubes | |
| 👁 Image Blood supply of the human female reproductive organs. The left ovary is the oval shaped structure visible above the label "ovarian arteries". | |
| Details | |
| System | Female reproductive system |
| Artery | ovarian artery, uterine artery |
| Vein | ovarian vein |
| Nerve | ovarian plexus |
| Lymph | Paraaortic lymph node |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ovarium |
| MeSH | D010053 |
| TA | A09.1.01.001 |
| FMA | 7209 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Ovaries (singular: Ovary) are organs found in female organisms. Ovaries are part of the reproductive system needed to reproduce sexually.
Most vertebrate animals have two ovaries. Birds usually have only one working ovary; snakes have one ovary in front of the other. The ovaries are similar to testicles in male organisms.
Anatomy
[change | change source]Ovaries are shaped like ovals. They are around 3 cm by 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm. The ovaries are found in the side walls of the pelvis.
Each ovary is attached to a fallopian tube, each of which is attached to the uterus. Usually each ovary takes turns releasing eggs every month.
Uses
[change | change source]Ovaries have two purposes. They produce female sex hormones that help puberty take place. Ovaries also produce ova (also called "egg cells"), which are the female reproductive cells.
In menstruation
[change | change source]During menstruation, an ovum is released from the ovary and enters one of the fallopian tubes. There, the ovum can be fertilised. Ovaries have a certain number of eggs in them; when eggs stop being released, this is the start of the menopause. During this time, female hormones stop being produced.
Related pages
[change | change source]Other websites
[change | change source]
| Endocrine system |
| Adrenalgland - Corpusluteum - Hypothalamus - Ovaries - Pancreas - Parathyroidgland - Pinealgland - Pituitarygland - Testes - Thyroidgland - Hormone |
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