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

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

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

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

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

For there is the most curious resemblance imaginable between the cells of the adrenal cortex and those of the corpus luteum, some day to be completely explained.

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