Which statement about ovulation is correct?

Which statement about ovulation is correct?

• A. Release of a fertilized egg from the uterus into the vagina
• B. Expulsion of a mature ovum from a mature ovarian follicle into the cavity and then into the uterine tube
• C. Growth of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle
• D. Fusion of egg and sperm

Answer: (B)

Ovulation is the release of a mature oocyte from a ovarian follicle into the peritoneal cavity, where it is swept into the fallopian tube by the fimbriae and begins its journey toward the uterus. This event happens after the LH surge causes the dominant follicle to rupture, ejecting the oocyte along with its surrounding cumulus cells. The oocyte is in meiosis II at this moment and will complete meiosis II only if fertilization occurs. That’s why the statement describing expulsion of a mature ovum from a mature ovarian follicle into the cavity and then into the uterine tube best fits what ovulation is. The other statements describe different stages or processes: releasing a fertilized egg from the uterus is not ovulation and doesn’t happen; growth of the uterine lining is endometrial proliferation, not ovulation; and the fusion of egg and sperm is fertilization, not ovulation.

Ovulation is the release of a mature oocyte from a ovarian follicle into the peritoneal cavity, where it is swept into the fallopian tube by the fimbriae and begins its journey toward the uterus. This event happens after the LH surge causes the dominant follicle to rupture, ejecting the oocyte along with its surrounding cumulus cells. The oocyte is in meiosis II at this moment and will complete meiosis II only if fertilization occurs.

That’s why the statement describing expulsion of a mature ovum from a mature ovarian follicle into the cavity and then into the uterine tube best fits what ovulation is. The other statements describe different stages or processes: releasing a fertilized egg from the uterus is not ovulation and doesn’t happen; growth of the uterine lining is endometrial proliferation, not ovulation; and the fusion of egg and sperm is fertilization, not ovulation.