218 



THE FEMALE REPRODVCTIYE SYSTEM 



this period. These cells are now called hitein cells. Strands of 

 reticular tissue migrate radially inward from the theca interna 

 toward the follicular cavity, as do sinusoidal capillaries which extend 

 in between the enlarged granulosum cells. The theca externa 

 remains much as it was before ovulation. If the ovum is fertilized 

 after it enters the oviduct and implants in the uterus, the further 

 changes in the corpus luteum (or follicular body) are quantitatively 

 different than those in the case where no fertilization is effected. 

 In the latter case a corpus luteum spurium is formed, and in the 

 former a corpus luteum ^'erum forms. 



Fig. 1.37. — Photograph of a section through the ovary of a cat. In the upper 

 region 4 maturing follicles are shown; the light areas were filled with follicular liquid. 

 The large circular body below is a corpus luteum verum. At the lower left margin 

 near this is a corpus albicans. 



Corpus Lideinii Spuri inn. — 'When fertilization does not occur, the 

 corpus luteum reaches the climax of its development and greatest 

 size shortly after ovidation. At this ])eriod the yellow color may 

 be pronounced if such color (le\elo])s at all. Hemorrhage may also 

 occur at this time in the c()r])iis luteum, due to ru])ture of the cajjil- 

 laries scattered through it, and blood ])ours into the follicular cavity. 

 This marks the beginning of the degeneration of the cor])Us, and 

 gradually the whole body is resorbed. As long as the folliculai- 

 caxity remains slight hemorrhages may occur into it until all that 

 remains is a small mass of connecti\'e tissue called the corpus 

 albicans. 



