"Reconsidering the Function of the Ovary Appendage: A Potential 'Tongue' of the Organ"
The rete ovarii, a structure long dismissed as functionless, may actually play a crucial role in regulating ovulation and potentially extending the female reproductive lifespan. Duke University researchers have found that this tiny ovarian appendage, present in various mammal species, contains proteins and anatomical features suggesting it contributes to hormone signaling and may act as a sensory appendage, akin to the ovary's 'tongue'. The researchers suspect it may sense changes in the ovary's environment and send signals for reproductive organs to respond accordingly, and they plan to further investigate its response to physiological signals.