granulosa cell

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A cell in the ovary that surrounds and supports developing eggs and makes hormones

noun
/ˌɡrænjʊˈloʊsə sɛl/

Specialized

: célula granulosa

Granulosa cells surround the zebrafish egg.
ovarian granulosa cell

Examples

Researchers are investigating how granulosa cells contribute to hormone regulation in the ovary.
The granulosa cell plays a crucial role in the development of ovarian follicles.
Damage to the granulosa cell can affect fertility and hormone balance.
The granulosa cell plays a crucial role in hormone production.
Many granulosa cells surround the developing follicles.
Granulosa cells start secreting estrogen, and a cavity, or antrum, forms within the follicle.
Each follicle contains several granulosa cells that play a vital role in the maturation of the egg.

Surface Forms

granulosa cell singular

granulosa cells plural

Morphology

granulosa + cell

The modifier 'granulosa' is a specialized Latin-derived biomedical term not known to an average B1 learner, and knowing 'cell' alone does not reveal the specific ovarian role. Even if a learner guessed a relation to 'granular', that would not allow them to infer the cell's function of surrounding developing eggs and producing hormones, so the meaning is not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The name granulosa cell comes from a word meaning 'full of little grains' because granulosa refers to a grain-like look and these cells look like tiny grains around the egg. So the name helps us remember that these cells sit around and support the developing egg.