The female |ovaries| are two almond-shaped bodies about 1 1/8 inches (3.5 centimeters) long which lie on either side of the |pelvis|. Each |ovary| contains two different kinds of glandular structures: the |graafian follicles|, which secrete estrogen, and the |corpus luteum|, which secrete progesterone, but also some estrogen. The ~hormone~ estrogen influences the development of feminine characteristics and the maturation of the female sex organs. Progesterone influences the development of the mammary |glands| and prepared the |uterus| for egg implantation.
