<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Following a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), an oocyte (immature egg cell) will be released into the uterine tube, where it will then be available to be fertilized by a male's sperm . Ovulation marks the end of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle and the start of the luteal phase . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terminology (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> Ovulation is the release of eggs from the ovaries . In humans, this event occurs when the follicles rupture and release the secondary oocyte ovarian cells . After ovulation, during the luteal phase, the egg will be available to be fertilized by sperm . In addition, the uterine lining (endometrium) is thickened to be able to receive a fertilized egg . If no conception occurs, the uterine lining as well as blood will be shed during menstruation . </P> <P> In humans, ovulation occurs about midway through the menstrual cycle, after the follicular phase . The few days surrounding ovulation (from approximately days 10 to 18 of a 28 - day cycle), constitute the most fertile phase . The time from the beginning of the last menstrual period (LMP) until ovulation is, on average, 14.6 days, but with substantial variation between females and between cycles in any single female, with an overall 95% prediction interval of 8.2 to 20.5 days . </P>

When luteinizing hormone (lh) production begins just before ovulation the cervical mucus is