Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries of a female animal. In the case of non-human animals, this is also called spaying. It is a form of sterilization.

The removal of the ovaries together with the Fallopian tubes is called salpingo-oophorectomy. Oophorectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy are not common forms of birth control in humans; more usual is tubal ligation, in which the Fallopian tubes are blocked but the ovaries remain intact.

In humans, oophorectomy is most usually performed together with a hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus. Its use in a hysterectomy when there are no other health problems is somewhat controversial.

In animals, spaying involves an invasive removal of the ovaries, but rarely has major complications; the superstition that it causes weight gain is not based on fact. Spaying is especially important for certain animals that require the ovum to be released at a certain interval (called estrus or "heat"), such as cats and dogs. If the cell is not released during these animal's heat, it can cause severe medical problems that can be averted by spaying or partnering the animal with a male.

Oophorectomy is sometimes referred to as castration, but that term is most often used to mean the removal of a male animal's testicles.

See also


Burka

This article is part of the
Hats and Headgear series:
Overview of headgear
Hats; Bonnets; Caps
Hoods; Helmets; Wigs
Masks; Veils; Scarves
Tiaras; Crowns
List of hats and headgear

Afghan woman wearing "Afghan burka"
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Afghan woman wearing "Afghan burka"

Two different items of traditional Islamic women's clothing are known as a burka, burqa or burqua.

One is a kind of veil which is tied on the head, over a headscarf , and covers the face except for a slit at the eyes for the woman to see through.

The other, which is also called a full burka or an Afghan burka and occasionally called a chador (چادر), is a garment which covers the entire body and face. The eyes are covered with a 'net curtain' allowing the woman to see but preventing other people from seeing her eyes.

Both kinds of burka are used by some Muslim women (as an interpretation of the hijab dress code) and the full burka was compulsory under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

An attempt by students in The Netherlands to wear the burka in schools was forbidden because the school educates for professions where non-verbal communication (sometimes through facial expression) is required.

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