Back to search
graafian follicle
Ovarian follicle, between 16 and 22 mm in diameter, consisting of a primary oocyte surrounded by the zona pellucida and a granular layer. It is also known as antral follicle. The word graafian is an eponym from Dutch physiologist and histologist Reijnier de Graaf (1641-1673).
Grammatical category Noun
Field Anatomy, physiology and embryology
Level of specialization High
Definition source Real Academia Nacional de Medicina de España
Starting age Between 12 and 18 years
Gender relationship Yes, woman
Specific to one sex Yes
Prevalence Woman
Variants
Synonym
mature ovarian follicle
Formal
tertiary follicles
Formal
Equivalents

Spanish

folículo de Graaf

Valenciano

fol·licle de Graaf
Examples
These episodes result in the formation of a mature ovum, primed for fertilization, and the enlargement and bursting of the Graafian follicle, enabling the release of the ovum.
Antral or tertiary follicles, are characterized by follicular fluid accumulation in the antrum, and Graafian follicles represent the final pre-ovulatory stage, with the oocyte enveloped by the cumulus oophorus.