Video Transcript
What structure forms in the ovary every month after ovulation has occurred?
Have you learned about the menstrual cycle before? This is a very important process for reproductive purposes, and the full cycle typically lasts around 28 days. The menstrual cycle starts with menstruation, which is sometimes called a period. The uterine lining thickens in each cycle to support a developing baby. When the biological female does not become pregnant, menstruation occurs, in which the uterine lining sheds along with blood out of the female’s vagina. At the same time, several ovarian follicles start to grow within the ovaries.
After menstruation, the uterine lining begins to build up in preparation for a potential pregnancy. At the same time, an egg cell will begin to mature in a structure called the Graafian follicle located in the ovaries. Once this egg cell has matured and the uterine lining has thickened, thanks to the secretions of a specific hormone called estrogen, a process called ovulation occurs. Ovulation occurs when the Graafian follicle bursts open, releasing the mature egg cell, which at this stage is more precisely known as a secondary oocyte. Usually, just one egg cell is released into one of the two fallopian tubes. This is where the egg cell can potentially be fertilized by a sperm cell.
Following ovulation, the Graafian follicle will transform into a structure called the corpus luteum. This structure is important for releasing hormones such as progesterone to maintain the uterine lining. If the mature egg cell is fertilized and implants in the uterine lining, the corpus luteum is very important for releasing hormones to control the early stages of pregnancy. However, if this egg cell is not fertilized, the corpus luteum will break down and cease hormone production. This will again cause shedding of the uterine lining, resulting in a period. This completes the menstrual cycle, which will typically repeat each month for another chance at reproduction.
After reviewing the menstrual cycle and the process of ovulation specifically, we should be able to answer our question. The structure that forms in the ovary every month after ovulation has occurred is the corpus luteum.
