Immature ova, or eggs, are kept in small sacs, called |graafian follicles|, within the |ovaries| until they reach maturity. At this time, 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| develops into a |corpus luteum|. If the ovum is not fertilized, the follicle disintegrates into a small scar tissue, called a corpus albicans.
