What is the process by which an egg is released from the ovary called?

The process by which an egg is released from the ovary is referred to as ovulation. This physiological event is a crucial part of the female reproductive cycle, specifically occurring during the menstrual cycle. During ovulation, hormonal changes trigger the mature ovarian follicle to rupture and release an egg, or ovum, into the fallopian tube. This event typically occurs about midway through the menstrual cycle and is vital for natural conception, as the released egg can then be fertilized by sperm if present.

Fertilization refers to the process where a sperm cell unites with the egg, which takes place typically in the fallopian tube following ovulation. Menstruation involves the shedding of the uterine lining if no pregnancy occurs and does not pertain to the release of the egg. Implantation refers to the process of the fertilized egg embedding itself into the uterine lining, and does not involve the release of the egg from the ovary. Each of these processes is critical in the reproductive cycle but specifically, ovulation is the term that describes the release of the egg itself.