corpus luteum

noun

corpus lu·​te·​um -ˈlü-tē-əm How to pronounce corpus luteum (audio)
plural corpora lutea -ˈlü-tē-ə How to pronounce corpus luteum (audio)
: a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting endocrine tissue that forms immediately after ovulation from the ruptured graafian follicle in the mammalian ovary
abbreviation CL

Examples of corpus luteum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until about 10 weeks, when the placenta takes over its production. Lambeth Hochwald, Parents, 7 Jan. 2024 During this process, the remaining part of the mature follicle develops into the corpus luteum in preparation for potential nurturing of a pregnancy. Nikki Brown, ELLE, 26 June 2023 The corpus luteum is a little yellow blob (technically speaking) in the ovary. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011 Shortly after, that follicle develops a corpus luteum, which secretes hormones needed early in pregnancy. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2022 Then there are corpus luteum cysts, which happen when fluid starts building up inside a follicle that's already done its due diligence and released an egg. Korin Miller, SELF, 18 Aug. 2020 Doctors put most ovarian cysts into two categories: follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Korin Miller, SELF, 9 Oct. 2019 The two main types of ovarian cysts are follicle cysts and corpus luteum cysts, according to the Office on Women's Health (OWH). Christina Oehler, Health.com, 28 Aug. 2019 Once the egg is released, the empty follicle shrinks to form what's called a corpus luteum, which is supposed to make hormones to get ready for the next egg. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 28 Jan. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corpus luteum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin corpus lūteum "yellow body"

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corpus luteum was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near corpus luteum

Cite this Entry

“Corpus luteum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corpus%20luteum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corpus luteum

noun
cor·​pus lu·​te·​um
ˌkȯr-pəs-ˈlüt-ē-əm
plural corpora lutea
ˌkȯr-p(ə-)rə-ˈlüt-ē-ə
: a yellowish mass of tissue formed in a graafian follicle in the ovary of a mammal after the egg is released

Medical Definition

corpus luteum

noun
corpus lu·​te·​um -ˈlüt-ē-əm, -lü-ˈtē-əm How to pronounce corpus luteum (audio)
plural corpora lutea -ə How to pronounce corpus luteum (audio)
: 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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