ovary

ovary
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 (gonadotrophins) 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 (see illustration), 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.
Derivatives:
ovarian adj.

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  • 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

  • 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 …   Medical dictionary

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