THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



521 



vascularity of the reproductive organs, grows at the periphery and in 

 this way greatly increases the diameter of the corpus luteum. 



Minute vascular sprouts of embryonic connective tissue now pene- 

 trate the lutein mass from the adjacent stroma of the theca folliculi, 

 and growing centralward in septa-like processes,, finally penetrate as far 

 as the central blood clot. Hence the corpus luteum at this stage presents 

 a more or less radiate structure. The central ends of the embryonic 

 connective tissue septa frequently 

 unite to inclose the remnant of the 

 central blood clot, or by further 

 proliferation they may entirely re- 

 place the clot by a mass of newly 

 formed gelatinous connective tissue. 



The absorption of the blood clot 

 usually proceeds slowly. Eemnants 

 of the disintegrating blood in the 

 form of a central stellate mass, 

 which often contains hematoidin 

 crystals, frequently persist until the 

 corpus luteum has become well or- 

 ganized with connective tissue. 



The formation of new connec- 

 tive tissue is followed by its con- 

 traction. That this process occurs 

 very early in the connective tissue 

 first formed at the periphery of the 

 body, may possibly be held to ac- 

 count for the fatty infiltration and final degeneration of the lutein cells, 

 because of the consequent interference with their vascular supply. 



By continued development the entire mass of lutein cells is gradually 

 replaced by connective tissue, which, by further contraction, finally pro- 

 duces a dense white fibrous scar, no longer containing lutein pigment, 

 known as a corpus albicans. This body persists for a long period, but 

 undergoes progressive contraction until only a minute scar of almost 

 microscopical size remains to mark the site of the ruptured corpuscle 

 and the highly developed corpus luteum. Such scars persist for years 

 in the stroma of the ovarian cortex. 



Finally it must be stated that there are no recognizable histological 

 differences, other than those of size and duration, between the corpora 

 lutea vera of pregnancy and the corpora lutea spuria whose formation 



FIG. 458. PORTION OF CORPUS LUTE- 

 UM OF RABBIT. 



The lutein cells contain peripherally 

 many fat vacuoles. The stroma con- 

 sists of fibrous connective tissue. 

 X 500. 



