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tertiary ovarian follicle

antral follicle

A follicle that has reached the most mature stage of folliculogenesis, characterized by the presence of the antrum.

On this page
Type Organ
Structure parente ovarian follicle
Nom latin antral follicle
FMA ID 18641

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes a tertiary ovarian follicle from earlier follicle stages?

A tertiary ovarian follicle, also called a Graafian follicle, is distinguished by the presence of the follicular antrum — a fluid-filled cavity that forms within the granulosa cell layers. This antrum is absent in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, making antrum formation the defining milestone of the tertiary stage.

What is the fate of a tertiary ovarian follicle?

In each menstrual cycle, typically one tertiary follicle becomes dominant and continues to enlarge. At ovulation, the mature Graafian follicle ruptures to release the oocyte. The remaining follicular cells then transform into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to support early pregnancy.

How large does a tertiary ovarian follicle grow?

A mature tertiary (Graafian) follicle can reach 15–25 mm in diameter just before ovulation. Transvaginal ultrasound can visualize these follicles during assisted reproductive procedures, allowing clinicians to time ovulation trigger injections accurately.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:18641 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0000037 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.