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

Because a fertilized egg is not implanted into the uterus in a non-pregnant woman, the corpus luteum degenerates and the levels of estrogen and progesterone increase.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Because a fertilized egg is not implanted into the uterus in a non-pregnant woman, the corpus luteum degenerates, and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The placenta has taken over the functions of nutrition and waste elimination and the production of estrogen and progesterone from the corpus luteum, which has degenerated.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Following ovulation, the follicular tissue that surrounded the ovulated egg stays within the ovary and grows to form a solid mass called the corpus luteum.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Possibly the corpus luteum, the endocrine formed of the torn egg nest in the ovary, makes up for any deficiency in this respect.

From The Glands Regulating Personality by Berman, Louis, M.D.