corpus luteum

[ kawr-puh s loo-tee-uh m ]
/ ˈkɔr pəs ˈlu ti əm /

noun, plural cor·po·ra lu·te·a [kawr-per-uh loo-tee-uh] /ˈkɔr pər ə ˈlu ti ə/.

Anatomy, Zoology. a ductless gland developed within the ovary by the reorganization of a Graafian follicle following ovulation.
Pharmacology. an extract of this gland, usually of the hog or cow, the chief product of which is progesterone.

Origin of corpus luteum

1780–90; < New Latin: yellow body

Words nearby corpus luteum

corpus fimbriatum, corpus hemorrhagicum, corpus juris, corpus juris canonici, corpus juris civilis, corpus luteum, corpus luteum hormone, corpus spongiosum, corpus striatum, corpus vile, corpuscle

British Dictionary definitions for corpus luteum

corpus luteum
/ (ˈluːtɪəm) /

noun plural corpora lutea (ˈluːtɪə)

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

Word Origin for corpus luteum

New Latin, literally: yellow body

Medical definitions for corpus luteum

corpus luteum
[ lōō′tē-əm ]

n.

A yellow, progesterone-secreting mass of cells that forms from a Graafian follicle after the release of a mature egg. yellow body

Scientific definitions for corpus luteum

corpus luteum
[ lōō′tē-əm ]

Plural corpora lutea

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.