What can happen to a follicle that does not successfully ovulate?

When a follicle does not successfully ovulate, it typically undergoes a process of degeneration. This degeneration is part of the normal ovarian cycle, where the follicle may shrink and be reabsorbed by the body. The specific mechanism involved is called atresia, where the immature follicle fails to mature and is instead broken down and its components recycled.

In contrast, a follicle that successfully ovulates typically transforms into a corpus luteum, a structure that releases hormones necessary for maintaining a potential pregnancy. If ovulation does not occur, that structure does not form, leading to the follicle’s degeneration instead.

The other possibilities—becoming a secondary follicle or dividing into multiple follicles—do not accurately represent what typically happens in the ovarian cycle. The transition to a secondary follicle indicates further development rather than degeneration, and a follicle does not divide into multiple follicles, as the process of follicle development is characterized by individual follicular maturation rather than division.