Ovulation is one part of the female menstrual cycle whereby a mature ovarian follicle (part of the ovary) discharges an egg (also known as an ovum, oocyte, or female gamete). It is during this process that the egg travels down the fallopian tube where it may be met by a sperm and become fertilized.
Ovulation is controlled by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which sends signals that instruct the anterior lobe and pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
The process usually occurs between the 10th and 19th day into the menstrual cycle, and this is the time where humans are most fertile.
