Ovarian volume is lowest during the ______ phase and highest during the ______ phase.

• A. Follicular / Luteal
• B. Luteal / Periovulatory
• C. Periovulatory / Follicular
• D. Menstrual / Secretory

Answer: (B)

Ovarian volume changes with the menstrual cycle because of how the follicle grows and then how the corpus luteum forms and regresses. During the follicular phase, multiple follicles develop, with a dominant follicle enlarging markedly as ovulation approaches. This pre-ovulatory growth makes the ovary appear larger, so the volume peaks in the periovulatory period right before ovulation. After ovulation, the dominant follicle ruptures and becomes the corpus luteum; although the corpus luteum occupies space, the overall ovarian volume typically decreases as the luteal phase continues and tissue mass returns toward baseline. So, the ovary is smallest in the luteal phase and largest in the periovulatory phase.