The |ovaries| are lobe-like structures which are responsible for generating the mature ova, or eggs, in the |female reproductive system|. They are about the same size as the |testes| in the male, being about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long. The |ovaries| are located on either side of the pelvic cavity and are attached to the fallopian tubes and the upper margin of the |uterus| by the |ovarian ligaments|. Within the |ovaries| are a number of small sacs, called |graafian follicles|, which contain the maturing ova. The |ovaries| produce a mature ovum about once every month. When this occurs, called ovulation, the follicle containing the mature ovum erupts from the surface of the |ovary| and the ovum passes into a fallopian tube. If the ovum is fertilized, the |graafian follicle| then develops into a |corpus luteum|. If the ovum is not fertilized, the follicle disintegrates into a small scar tissue, called a corpus albicans.
In addition to generating the mature ova, the |ovaries| also produce female sex ~hormones~, such as estrone and estradiol, which regulate mammary growth, placental development, and menstruation.
