SCTID:361111009

UMLS:C0018120

CALOHA:TS-0726

MAT:0000449

EMAPA:35627

ZFA:0001110

Wikipedia:Ovarian_follicle

TAO:0001110

NCIT:C33244

BTO:0000475

MESH:D006080

VHOG:0001536

FMA:18640

GAID:371

MA:0001707

A spherical aggregation of cells in the ovary that contains a single oocyte[WP,modified].

TODO - align subtypes based on staging, which is taxon-specific

Oocyte development of zebrafish has been divided into five stages based on morphological criteria and on physiological and biochemical events. Stage I follicles (less than 140 microns) are primary growth stage, stage II follicles (140-340 microns) are cortical alveolus stage, stage III (340-690 microns) are vitellogenesis, stage IV (690-730 microns) are oocyte maturation, and stage V follicles are matured egg. Selman et al, 1993.[TAO]

The somatic cell component of the follicle produces hormones important for oocyte development and proper endocrine function

ovary follicle

follicle of ovary

follicle of ovary viewed macroscopically

uberon

folliculi ovarici vesiculosi

egg follicle

folliculi ovarici primarii

Examination of different vertebrate species shows that the adult gonad is remarkably similar in its morphology across different phylogenetic classes. Surprisingly, however, the cellular and molecular programs employed to create similar organs are not evolutionarily conserved.[uncertain][VHOG]

UBERON:0001305

ovarian follicle

UBERON:0001305

ovarian follicle

These structures are periodically initiated to grow and develop, culminating in ovulation of usually a single competent oocyte in humans. These eggs/ova are only developed once every menstrual cycle (e.g. once a month in humans)