corpus luteum

noun

corpus lu·​te·​um -ˈlü-tē-əm 

plural corpora lutea -ˈlü-tē-ə 

: a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting endocrine tissue that forms immediately after ovulation from the ruptured graafian follicle in the mammalian ovary

—abbreviation CL

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The two most common types, follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts, occur when something goes a little awry during a regular menstrual cycle, the Mayo Clinic explains. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 28 Jan. 2019

After the follicle releases the egg, the follicle shrinks into a mass called the corpus luteum. Zahra Barnes, SELF, 23 Feb. 2018

After an egg has been released from an ovary, the ovarian follicle collapses to temporarily form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, the Mayo Clinic explains. Korin Miller, SELF, 28 Feb. 2018

See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin corpus lūteum "yellow body"

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

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 

plural corpora lutea -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