A Primordial follicle

B Primary follicle
1 Oocyte
2 Follicular epithelium

1 Oocyte
2 Pellucid zone
3 Stratum granulosum
4 Theca folliculi cells
1
2
3
4
5
6

7
8
Ov
ar
ia
n
st
ro
ma
Pr
im
or
di
al
fo
ll
ic
le
Pr
im
ar
y
fo
ll
ic
le
Se
co
nd
ar
y
fo
ll
ic
le
,
th
ec
a
fo
ll
ic
ul
i
Se
co
nd
ar
y
fo
ll
ic
le
,
ba
sa
l
la
mi
na
Se
co
nd
ar
y
fo
ll
ic
le
,
st
ra
tu
m
gr
an
ul
os
um
(s
ev
er
al
ro
ws
)
Se
In the transition from primary to secondary follicle, the stratum
granulosum develops from the cells of the follicle epithelium.
The stroma ovarii that surrounds the secondary follicle organizes itself
into theca folliculi.
1 Oocyte
2 Pellucid zone

3 Stratum granulosum
4 Theca interna

5 Theca externa

6 Antral follicle

7 Cumulus oophorus (Granulosa cells, together with the

oocyte)

8 Basal lamina between theca and stratum granulosum

Tertiary follicle 1 Antral follicle

 2 Pellucid zone
3 Oocyte
4 Stratum granulosum
5 Theca interna
(with large lipid-ri
6 cells)
7 Theca externa
Stroma ovarii

In tertiary follicles, the theca can be divided into an interna (hormone

production) and an externa (transition to the ovarian stroma).

Cumulus oophorus of a tertiary follicle

1 Antral follicle
2 Pellucid zone
3 Oocyte
4 Stratum granulosum
5 Theca interna
(with large lipid-ri
6 cells)
7 Theca externa
Stroma ovarii
In tertiary follicles, the theca can be divided into an interna (hormone
production) and an externa (transition to the ovarian stroma).