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 rises, initiating the breakdown of the endometrium and the start of the menstrual cycle.

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 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

After the release of the egg from the follicle, the corpus luteum is formed, which inhibits FSH and LH production, which then inhibits GnRH production, causing no other follicle to develop.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The corpus luteum acts like a gland and elaborates a secretion which has an influence on the circulation in the uterus and on menstruation.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by William J. Robinson