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corpus luteum

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corpus luteum

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Also known as Corpora leutia

temporary endocrine structure in ovaries producing progesterone, estradiol and inhibin A; the remains of an ovarian follicle that has released an egg

Key facts

System
Reproductive system
Location
Ovary
Latin
corpus luteum
Mesh
D003338
Ta98
A09.1.01.015

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

17,015 papers

via PubMed

~9 min read

Encyclopedic overview

The corpus luteum (Latin for "yellow body"; pl.: corpora lutea) is a temporary endocrine structure in female ovaries involved in the production of relatively high levels of progesterone, and moderate levels of oestradiol, and inhibin A. It is the remains of the ovarian follicle that has released a mature ovum during a previous ovulation.

The corpus luteum is coloured as a result of concentrating carotenoids (including lutein) from the diet and secretes a moderate amount of estrogen that inhibits further release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and thus secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). A new corpus luteum develops with each menstrual cycle.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “corpus luteum” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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