, CORPUS LUTEUM OF MENSTRUATION. 



577 



Fig. 187. 



The opening by which the egg makes its escape is usually not an 

 extensive laceration, but a minute rounded perforation, often not 

 more than half a line in diameter. A small probe, introduced 

 through this opening, passes directly into the 

 cavity of the follicle. If the Graafian follicle 

 be opened at this time by a longitudinal inci- 

 sion (Fig. 187), it will be seen to form a globu- 

 lar cavity, one-half to three-quarters of an 

 inch in diameter, containing a soft, recent, 

 dark-colored coagulum. This coagulum has 

 no organic connection with the walls of the 

 follicle, but lies loose in its cavity and may be 

 easily turned out with the handle of a knife. 

 There is sometimes a slight mechanical adhe- 

 sion of the clot to the edges of the lacerated 

 opening, just as the coagulum in a recently J^'-iuS-* 

 ligatured artery is entangled by the divided menstruation, aud aned 

 edges of the internal and middle coats; but ^how n ^^^ng'ituZa U l 1 ^c- 

 there is no continuity of substance between tion Ti8 ue f the 



, . , , .. ,.. ovary, b. Membrane of the 



them, and the clot may be everywhere readily vesic]e . c . Point of rupture, 

 separated by careful manipulation. The mem- 

 brane of the vesicle presents at this time a smooth, transparent, and 

 vascular internal surface, without any alteration of color, consistency, 

 or texture. 



An important change, however, soon begins to take place, both 

 in the central coagulum and in the membrane of the vesicle. 



The clot, which is at first large, soft, and gelatinous, like any 

 other mass of coagulated blood, begins to contract ; and the serum 

 separates from the coagulum proper. The serum, as fast as it 

 separates from the coagulum, is absorbed by the neighboring parts ; 

 and the clot, accordingly, grows every day smaller and denser than 

 before. At the same time the coloring matter of the blood under- 

 goes the changes which usually take place in it after extravasation, 

 and is partially reabsorbed together with the serum. This second 

 change is somewhat less rapid than the former, but still a diminu- 

 tion of color is very perceptible in the clot, at the expiration of 

 two weeks. 



The membrane of the vesicle during this time is beginning to 

 undergo a process of hypertrophy or development, by which it 

 becomes thickened and convoluted, and tends partially to fill up 

 37 



