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corpus luteum

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cor⋅pus lu⋅te⋅um

  [kawr-puhs loo-tee-uhm]
Use corpus luteum in a Sentence
–noun, plural cor⋅po⋅ra lu⋅te⋅a  [kawr-per-uh loo-tee-uh] .
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.
Origin:
1780–90; < NL: yellow body
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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corpus lu·te·um   (lōō'tē-əm)   
n.   pl. corpora lu·te·a (lōō'tē-ə)
A yellow, progesterone-secreting mass of cells that forms from an ovarian follicle after the release of a mature egg.

[New Latin corpus lūteum : Latin corpus, body + Latin lūteum, neuter of lūteus, yellow.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: corpus lu·te·um
Pronunciation: -'lüt-E-&m, -lü-'tE-&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural corporalu·tea /-&/
: a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting endocrine tissue that consists of pale secretory cells derived from granulosa cells, that formsimmediately 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 ifit is fertilized
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

corpus luteum corpus lu·te·um (l&oomacr;'tē-əm)
n.
A yellow, progesterone-secreting mass of cells that forms from a Graaffian follicle after the release of a mature egg.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
corpus luteum   (l'tē-əm)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

corpus luteum

yellow, hormone-secreting body in the female reproductive system. It is formed in an ovary at the site of a follicle, or sac, that has matured and released its ovum, or egg. The "yellow body" secretes progesterone, a hormone that causes changes in the uterus that make it more suitable for implantation of the fertilized ovum and the nourishment of the embryo. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum becomes inactive after 10-14 days and menstruation occurs. See also ovary; ovulation.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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