It is not possible to see your egg with the naked eye when it is released or expelled from the body. The human egg is far too small to be visible without the aid of a microscope. What is observed during menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining, not a distinct egg. This natural biological process involves a complex interplay of hormones and cellular events, all occurring at a microscopic level.
The Microscopic Human Egg
The human egg, also known as an ovum, is considered one of the largest cells in the human body, yet it remains microscopic. Its diameter is approximately 100 to 120 micrometers, which is about 0.12 millimeters. To put this into perspective, it is roughly the size of a grain of fine table salt or a strand of human hair.
The egg’s relatively large size is crucial for its biological purpose. It must contain sufficient nutrients and cellular machinery, such as mitochondria, to support the very early stages of development if fertilization occurs. This single cell holds the entire maternal genetic contribution for a potential new life.
What is Menstrual Flow?
Menstrual flow, commonly referred to as a period, is the body’s way of shedding the uterine lining when pregnancy does not occur. This flow is a complex mixture of several components, primarily consisting of blood, uterine tissue, mucus, and vaginal secretions. The uterine lining, or endometrium, thickens each month in preparation for a potential pregnancy.
If an egg is not fertilized, the thickened lining is no longer needed and breaks down. This shedding process results in the bleeding and discharge that characterize menstruation. The unfertilized egg, if present, is microscopic and disintegrates quickly, becoming part of this expelled cellular debris.
The Egg’s Monthly Journey
Each month, around mid-cycle, a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries in a process called ovulation. Once released, tiny, finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube, called fimbriae, capture the egg. The egg then embarks on a journey through the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
The egg remains viable for fertilization for a relatively short window, typically between 12 to 24 hours after its release. If fertilization by sperm does not occur during this time, the egg begins to disintegrate. It is then either reabsorbed by the body.