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Graafian follicle

American  
[grah-fee-uhn] / ˈgrɑ fi ən /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)
  1. one of the small vesicles containing a developing ovum in the ovary of a mammal.


Graafian follicle British  
/ ˈɡrɑːfɪən /

noun

  1. a fluid-filled vesicle in the mammalian ovary containing a developing egg cell

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Graafian follicle

1835–45; named after Regnier de Graaf (died 1673), Dutch anatomist; see -ian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Diagram of ovary with stages in the development of a Graafian follicle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, see text, Section 137.

From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

This particle is formed in the ovary inside a much larger globule, which takes the name of the Graafian follicle, from its discoverer, Graaf, and had previously been regarded as the true ovum.

From The Evolution of Man — Volume 1 by Haeckel, Ernst Heinrich Philipp August

An ovum becomes mature, breaks through its Graafian follicle in the ovary and is set free.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.

In the right ovary are seen ovules in various degrees of maturity in their Graafian follicles: also a corpus luteum—an empty Graafian follicle after expulsion of the ovule.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

F.t., the left Fallopian tube. ov., is the ovary, with a Graafian follicle, G.F.

From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

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