Cumulus oophorus

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Cumulus oophorus
Section of vesicular ovarian follicle of cat. X 50. (Discus proligerus labeled at lower left.)
Gray's subject #266 1256
Dorlands/Elsevier c_66/12271425

At one part of the mature follicle, the cells of the membrana granulosa are collected into a mass which projects into the cavity of the follicle. This cluster of cells is termed the cumulus oophorus (Latin cumulus=heap, Greek oo=egg + phorus=carrying) discus proligerus, and it is released with the imbedded oocyte during ovulation. In order for fertilization to occur this layer must be penetrated by the spermatocyte.

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