Ovum

(o'vùm,) pl. OVA. [L., an egg.) (Physiol.) The ova are round vesicles, containing a humor similar to the yolk of egg, which are situate in the ovaries of the female, and,when fec undated, constitute the rudiments of the fœtus. During gestation, the embryo and its enveloping membrane retain the name ovum. The changes induced in maminalia after gestation greatly resemble those in the bird. [s. 674]