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<big><center>[[Female Reproductive Tract -The Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO THE OVARY''']]</center></big>

<big><center>[[Female Reproductive Tract -The Ovary - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO THE OVARY''']]</center></big>

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The follicle is the functional unit of the ovary containing both gametes (Oocyte) and endocrine cells (Granulosa and Theca cells). A female is born with all the primordial follicles it is ever going to have i.e Primordial Follicles do not divide anymore, they either develop further into primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles or they degenerate. Therefore the number of follicles declines with age as follicles develop and degenerate during the oestrus cycle. When the supply of follicles is depleted then reproductive senescence occurs. In humans this phenomenon is known as "The Menopause".  Prior to ovulation, oogenesis and hormone production both occur in the follicle.

The follicle is the functional unit of the ovary containing both gametes (Oocyte) and endocrine cells (Granulosa and Theca cells). A female is born with all the primordial follicles it is ever going to have i.e Primordial Follicles do not divide anymore, they either develop further into primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles or they degenerate. Therefore the number of follicles declines with age as follicles develop and degenerate during the oestrus cycle. When the supply of follicles is depleted then reproductive senescence occurs. In humans this phenomenon is known as "The Menopause".  Prior to ovulation, oogenesis and hormone production both occur in the follicle. The process of follicular growth is known as '''Folliculogenesis'''.

==General Structure==

==General Structure==

[[Image:Granulosa and Theca Cells.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Ovary showing Granulosa and Theca Cells of a Follicle- Courtesy of J.Bredl, Copyright RVC 2008]]

[[Image:Granulosa and Theca Cells.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological Section of the Ovary showing Granulosa and Theca Cells of a Follicle- Courtesy of J.Bredl, Copyright RVC 2008]]

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==Follicular Development==

==Follicular Development (Folliculogenesis)==

=== '''Primordial Follicle''' ===

=== '''Primordial Follicle''' ===