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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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

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

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

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 level of estrogen produced by the corpus luteum increases to a steady level for the next few days.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

In the corpus luteum the lutein is contained in the cells, not in a blood-clot.

From Hormones and Heredity by Cunningham, J. T.