THE OVARIES. 



1991 



Central 

 connective tissue 



into the cavity of the former egg-sac, which now becomes converted into a corpus 

 luteum. 



The latter, long known as the corpus luteum verum when associated with preg- 

 nancy, grows to huge dimensions and forms a conspicuous oval mass that may 

 approach 3 cm. in length and occupy a considerable part of the entire cortex. 

 When impregnation does not take place, the yellow body (now called the corpus 

 luteum spurium} is smaller, seldom exceeding 1.5-2 cm. in diameter. The classic 

 distinction of ' ' true' ' and ' ' false, ' ' apart from difference of size, has no anatomical 

 basis, since both forms possess identical structure. The assumption that the presence 

 of a large corpus luteum is positive proof of the existence of pregnancy, must be 

 accepted with caution, since yellow bodies of unusual size are sometimes observed in 

 ovaries of virgins. 



Shortly after the rupture of the follicle and the replacement of its contents by 

 blood, the opening in the wall of the egg-sac is closed. The rapid proliferation and 

 growth of the lutein cells pro- 

 duces an irregularly plicated FIG. 1690. 

 wall of increasing thickness 

 that encloses the remains of the 

 degenerating follicular epithe- 

 lium (granulosa) and invades 

 the hemorrhagic mass. The 

 latter is gradually absorbed 

 until, finally, the encroaching 

 projections of lutein cells and 

 connective tissue meet and the 

 cavity of the follicle obliter- 

 ated, its former position being 

 subsequently indicated by a 

 central core of connective tis- 

 sue. The cells of the stratum 

 granulosum, the original epi- 

 thelial lining of the egg-sac, 

 entirely disappear and take no 

 direct part in the formation 

 of the corpus luteum, their 

 function during the develop- 

 ment of the Graafian follicle 

 having been to contribute the 

 liquor folliculi (Schottlaender). 

 Along with the proliferating 

 masses of lutein cells, strands 

 of connective tissue are car- 

 ried inward from the theca, 

 whereby, after a time, the yel- 

 low body becomes broken up by numerous radially disposed vascular septa and their 

 prolongations. With the production of a solid corpus luteum and the absorption of 

 the blood (evidences of which latter for a long time remain as hematoidin crystals), 

 the active role of the lutein cells is finished. These elements now lose their distinc- 

 tive yellow pigment {luteiii}, undergo fatty metamorphosis, and finally entirely dis- 

 appear. With the subsequent shrinking and decrease in the vascularity of the corpus 

 luteum, the connective tissue, which now constitutes the entire mass {corpus fibro- 

 sum), undergoes hyaline change, becoming clear and non-fibrillar. In consequence 

 the aging corpus luteum loses its former appearance and is transformed into an irreg- 

 ular body, light in color and sinuous in outline, sometimes known as the corpus 

 albicans (Fig. 1691). This gradually suffers absorption, but remains for a consider- 

 able time, especially when associated with pregnancy, as a conspicuous light corru- 

 gated area within the cortex, the last traces of its scar-like tissue finally disappearing 

 in the ovarian stroma. The greatly increased vascularity, within the wall of the ripe 

 Graafian follicle and later around the corpus luteum, subsides as the yellow body 



Lutein cells 



Proliferating 

 cells of inner 

 layer of theca 



-'-.^-5r' . - Outer layer 

 of theca 



Blood-vessels 



Section of human corpus luteum. X 70. 



