MENSTRUAL CYCLE R. NDERITU OVARIAN CYCLE  200,000 primordial follicles at birth in cortex of the ovary.  Some of these become cystic Graafian follicle.  Graafian follicle from puberty enlarges and one matures every month to give out an ovum. GRAA

MENSTRUAL CYCLE R. NDERITU OVARIAN CYCLE  200,000 primordial follicles at birth in cortex of the ovary.  Some of these become cystic Graafian follicle.  Graafian follicle from puberty enlarges and one matures every month to give out an ovum. GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE  Ovum is situated at one end of Graafian follicle, encircled by narrow perivitelline space. Surrounding this are clump of cells discus cells radiate outward to form corona most cells of corona are very clear and are called zona pellucida.  The Graafian follicle is lined with granulose cells and contains follicular fluid.  Outer coat of follicle is external limiting membrane around it is compressed ovarian stroma theca. Draw a diagram showing a mature graafian follicle. CONT…….  Under influence of FSH and LH, graafian follicle matures and moves to the surface of ovary, swells become tense and finally ruptures to release ovum into fibriated end of uterine tube(ovulation)  Pain felt by some women may be related to small loss of blood into peritoneal cavity(mittelschmerz)  Empty follicle is known as corpus luteum (yellow body