corpus lu·te·um -'lüt-ē-əm, -lü-'tē-əm n, pl corpora lu·tea -ə a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting endocrine tissue that consists of pale secretory cells derived from granulosa cells, that forms immediately after ovulation from the ruptured graafian follicle in the mammalian ovary, and that regresses rather quickly if the ovum is not fertilized but persists throughout the ensuing pregnancy if it is fertilized
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the glandular tissue in the ovary that forms at the site of a ruptured Graafian follicle after ovulation. It secretes the hormone progesterone, which prepares the uterus for implantation. If implantation fails the corpus luteum becomes inactive and degenerates. If an embryo becomes implanted the corpus luteum continues to secrete progesterone until the fourth month of pregnancy, by which time the placenta has taken over this function.
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[TA] pl. corґpora luґtea. yellow body of ovary: a yellow glandular mass in the ovary formed by an ovarian follicle that has matured and discharged its oocyte. If the oocyte has been fertilized, the corpus luteum increases in size and persists for several months (true c. luteum, c. luteum of pregnancy, c. luteum graviditatis); if fertilization has not taken place, it degenerates and shrinks (false c. luteum, c. luteum of menstruation, c. luteum menstruationis). The corpus luteum secretes progesterone. Cf. c. albicans.Medical dictionary. 2011.