Stigma (anatomy) 1727964 187387672 2008-01-28T02:40:43Z Ekem 166477 {{unreferenced|date=September 2006}} {{dablink|Not to be confused with [[Astigmatism (eye)|Astigmatism]]}} [[Image:ovulation.jpg|thumb|right|Stigma of the human ovary: the follicle is about to burst]] A '''stigma''' in mammalian reproductive anatomy refers to the area of the ovarian surface where the [[graafian follicle]] will burst through during [[ovulation]] and release the [[ovum]]. As the follicle matures, the area between the follicle and the ovarian surface begins to thin and weaken under the influence of the [[luteinizing hormone]] and local [[cytokine]]s. At ovulation the stigma ruptures and the [[ovum]] is released along with follicular fluid. The ovum needs to be captured by the [[fallopian tube]] where it could be fertilized by a [[spermatozoon|sperm]] cell. The stigma will heal and the residual follicle is transformed into the [[corpus luteum]]. [[Category:Developmental biology]] [[Category:Embryology]]