Ovary

The ovary (from Latin ōvārium 'egg') in the human female reproductive system is a gonad, a gland that produces sex hormones, and also controls the development and release of the egg cell (the female gamete). The ovarian follicles that contain the oocytes, also produce and secrete inhibin to suppress the action of follicle stimulating hormone released by the anterior pituitary. The paired ovaries are located one on either side of the uterus, and connect with the uterus through the fallopian tubes. They are held in place by the ovarian ligament, and the suspensory ligament of the ovary. The ovary progresses through many stages beginning in the prenatal period through menopause. Many of the structural and functional features of the human ovary are shared with other mammals and vertebrates and ovaries of some kind are found in many invertebrates. This article is primarily about the human ovary.