zona granulosa
Quick Summary
The zona granulosa, also known as granulosa cells, are cells that line the epithelial lining of a graafian follicle or its precursor in the ovary. These cells are responsible for secreting estrogen.1
In the female reproductive system, granulosa cells play a role in the development of ovarian follicles. As follicles grow, the granulosa cells proliferate and, in mammals, contribute to the formation of a fluid-filled cavity called an antrum. These cells are also involved in converting substances into female hormones, such as estrogens. After ovulation, granulosa cells transform into lutein cells, which form the corpus luteum and produce progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining pregnancy.23
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