Ovary (human)

The human ovary is the femalegonad, and is an important part of the reproductive system. Ordinarily, women have a pair of ovaries. Situated in the pelvis, this pair of organs have a changing role throughout the lifespan. During the childbearing years, from menarche to menopause, the ovaries produce ovum, the mature egg cell that, if fertilized by a sperm cell, can develop into a baby. The ovaries also are a major source of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, that are produced in varying levels throughout the ovulatory cycle.

The ovaries in adolescence

The ovaries undergo a major change with the coming of puberty. The initial period of the menstrual cycle, which ushers in the female milestone called menarche, is usually anovulatory - that is, no ovum are produced.