follicle, noun

plural, follicles

In mammals, a follicle is a sac, located in the ovaries, from which an egg is released. A follicle is also a small spherical group of cells that contains a cavity. For example, hair grows from follicles in the skin. In some plants, a follicle is a dry, single-chambered fruit that splits to release its seeds. Milkweed pods are follicles.