corpus luteum

American  

[kawr-puhs loo-tee-uhm] / ˈkɔr pəs ˈlu ti əm /

noun

corpora lutea plural

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a ductless gland developed within the ovary by the reorganization of a Graafian follicle following ovulation.

2. Pharmacology. an extract of this gland, usually of the hog or cow, the chief product of which is progesterone.

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corpus luteum British  

/ ˈluːtɪəm /

noun

1. a yellow glandular mass of tissue that forms in a Graafian follicle following release of an ovum. It secretes progesterone, a hormone necessary to maintain pregnancy

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corpus luteum Scientific  

/ lo̅o̅′tē-əm /

corpora lutea plural

1. A yellow mass of cells that forms from a mature ovarian follicle after ovulation and that secretes progesterone. If fertilization of the egg occurs, the corpus luteum persists for the first few months of pregnancy.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• corpora lutea
  plural

Etymology

Origin of corpus luteum

1780–90; < New Latin: yellow body

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

corpus luteum

When no fertilization takes place, the corpus luteum degenerates and the progesterone level declines, initiating the breakdown of the endometrium and the start of the menstrual cycle.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Describe the possible event that would occur if the corpus luteum did not produce increasing amounts of progesterone.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

When no fertilization takes place, the corpus luteum degenerates and the progesterone level rises, initiating the breakdown of the endometrium and the start of the menstrual cycle.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The cells in the follicle undergo physical changes and produce a structure called a corpus luteum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The seasonal histological changes occurring in the ovary, corpus luteum, and testis of the viviparous lizard, Xantusia vigilis.

From Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz by Legler, John M.