Here's a more detailed explanation:
* Egg cells are not immobile. They are actually in a state of arrested development called meiosis, which is a type of cell division specific to egg cells.
* Inside the ovaries, egg cells are contained within follicles. These follicles are like tiny sacs that protect and nourish the developing egg cells.
* As a woman reaches puberty, a cycle of follicle maturation begins. Each month, a few follicles start growing, and one follicle usually becomes dominant and continues to mature.
* Ovulation is the process where the mature egg cell is released from the follicle and travels down the fallopian tube. This happens roughly in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
* After ovulation, the egg cell can be fertilized by a sperm cell. If fertilization doesn't occur, the egg cell breaks down.
Therefore, it's not accurate to say that egg cells are "stuck" in the ovaries. They are actively developing and waiting for the right time to be released during ovulation.
