368 



THE ORGANS 



tilized. The structure of both is similar, but the true corpus luteum 

 is larger, and both it and its corpus albicans are slower in passing 

 through their retrogressive changes, thus remaining much longer in 

 the ovary. 



While the function of the corpus luteum is not known, the recent 

 experiments of Fraenkel seem to be confirmatory of the theory 

 advanced by Born, that the corpus luteum is a gland having an inter- 



Point of rupture 



Blood vessel 

 of theca 



Connective tissue 



Remnant of corpus 

 haemorrhagicum 



Lutein cells 



Connective tissue 

 from theca 



Theca folliculi 



Blood vessels 

 of theca 





Fig. 261. — From Section of Human Ov^ary, showing later stage of Corpus Luteum than 



Fig. 260. (KoUmann's Atlas.) 



nal secretion, which appears to have some influence upon the attach- 

 ment of the fecundated ovum to the uterus and upon its nutrition 

 during the first few weeks of its development. According to Fraenkel 

 the corpus luteum is a periodically rejuvenated ovarian gland, which 

 gives to the uterus a cyclic nutritional impn t t . which prepares it for 

 the implantation of the ovum or favors nc-nstruation whenever the 

 ovum is not fertilized. 



