Ovary

Ovary
The female gonad, the ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and female hormones. During each monthly menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus. 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.
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One of the paired female reproductive glands containing the ova or germ cells; the ovaries stroma is a vascular connective tissue containing numbers of ovarian follicles enclosing the ova; surrounding this stroma is a more condensed layer of stroma called the tunica albuginea. SYN: ovarium [TA], female gonad, genital gland (2). [Mod. L. ovarium, fr. ovum, egg]
- mulberry o. the type of o. produced by the administration of anterior pituitary extracts to immature rats; such an o. contains many more follicles than normal, with the follicles in various stages of development and with prominent corpora lutea on their surfaces, thus the perceived resemblance to a mulberry.
- polycystic o. enlarged cystic ovaries, pearl white in color, with thickened tunica albuginea, characteristic of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome; clinical features are abnormal menses, obesity, and evidence of masculinization, such as hirsutism.
- third o. an accessory o..

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ova·ry 'ōv-(ə-)rē n, pl -ries one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones, that occur in the adult human as oval flattened bodies about one and a half inches (four centimeters) long suspended from the dorsal surface of the broad ligament of either side, that arise from the mesonephros, and that consist of a vascular fibrous stroma enclosing developing egg cells

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n.
the main female reproductive organ, which produces ova (egg cells) and steroid hormones in a regular cycle (see menstrual cycle) in response to hormones (gonadotrophin) from the anterior pituitary gland. There are two ovaries, situated in the lower abdomen, one on each side of the uterus (see reproductive system). Each ovary contains numerous follicles, within which the ova develop, but only a small proportion of them reach maturity (see Graafian follicle, oogenesis). The follicles secrete oestrogen and small amounts of androgen. After ovulation a corpus luteum forms at the site of the ruptured follicle and secretes progesterone. Oestrogen and progesterone regulate the changes in the uterus throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
ovarian adj.

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ova·ry (oґvə-re) ovarium. ovarian adj

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ovary — (n.) 1650s, from Mod.L. ovarium ovary (16c.), from M.L. ovaria the ovary of a bird (13c.), from L. ovum egg, from PIE *owyo /*oyyo egg (see EGG (Cf. egg) (n.)). In classical Latin, ovarius meant egg keeper …   Etymology dictionary

  • Ovary — O va*ry ([=o] v[.a]*r[y^]), n.; pl. {Ovaries} ([=o] v[.a]*r[i^]z). [NL. ovarium, fr. L. ovum egg: cf. F. ovaire. See {Oval}.] 1. (Bot.) That part of the pistil which contains the seed, and in most flowering plants develops into the fruit. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ovary — ovary. См. завязь. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • ovary — ovary. См. яичник. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Óváry — (spr. ōwāri), Leopold, Ritter von, ungar. Historiker, geb. 31. Dez. 1833 in Veszprim, nahm 1848–49 am ungarischen und 1860 am italienischen Freiheitskampf teil und wurde 1867 in das ungarische Landesarchiv berufen, das er gegenwärtig als… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • ovary — ► NOUN (pl. ovaries) 1) a female reproductive organ in which ova or eggs are produced. 2) Botany the base of the carpel of a flower, containing one or more ovules. ORIGIN Latin ovarium, from ovum egg …   English terms dictionary

  • ovary — [ō′və rē] n. pl. ovaries [ModL ovarium < L ovum,EGG1] 1. Anat. Zool. a female reproductive gland producing eggs and, in vertebrates, sex hormones 2. Bot. the enlarged, hollow part of the pistil or gynoecium, containing ovules: see PISTIL… …   English World dictionary

  • Ovary — For ovary as part of plants, see ovary (plants). Ovaria redirects here. This is also a proposed section and a synonym of Solanum. Ovary Blood supply of the human female reproductive organs. The left ovary is visible above the label …   Wikipedia

  • ovary — Female reproductive organ, producing ova [Butler, T.H.]. In free living copepod unpaired, parasitic copepod paired, expanded section of female reproductive system in which eggs are produced. Located dorsally, above midgut, near border of head and …   Crustacea glossary

  • ovary — /oh veuh ree/, n., pl. ovaries. 1. Anat., Zool. the female gonad or reproductive gland, in which the ova and the hormones that regulate female secondary sex characteristics develop. 2. Bot. the enlarged lower part of the pistil in angiospermous… …   Universalium

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