578 



MENSTRUATION AND PKEGNANCY. 



the cavity of the follicle. This hypertrophy and convolution of 

 the membrane just named commences and proceeds most rapidly 

 at the deeper part of the follicle, directly opposite the situation of 

 the superficial rupture. From this point the membrane gradually 

 becomes thinner and less convoluted as it approaches the surface 

 of the ovary and the edges of the ruptured orifice. 



At the end of three weeks, this hypertrophy of the membrane of 

 the vesicle has reached its maximum. The ruptured Graafian fol- 

 licle has now become so completely solidified by the new growth 

 above described, and by the condensation of its clot, that it receives 

 the name of the corpus luteum. It forms a perceptible prominence 

 on the surface of the ovary, and may be felt between the fingers 

 as a well-defined rounded tumor, which is nearly always somewhat 

 flattened from side to side. It measures about three-quarters of an 



inch in length and half an inch in 

 depth. On its surface may be seen a 

 minute cicatrix of the peritoneum, 

 occupying the spot of the original 

 rupture. 



On cutting it open at this time (Fig. 

 188), the corpus luteum is seen to con- 

 sist, as above described, of a central 

 coagulum and a convoluted wall. 

 The coagulurn is semi-transparent, of 

 a gray or light greenish color, more 

 or less mottled with red. The con- 

 voluted wall is about one- eighth of 



. 188. 



>pen 



corpus 



OVAllY CUt 



luteum divided longitndinniiy ; three an inch thick at its deepest part, and 



weeks aftt-r menstruation. From a girl 

 dead of haemoptysis. 



of an indefinite yellowish or rosy 

 hue, not very different in tinge from 



the rest of the ovarian tissue. The convoluted wall and the con- 

 tained clot lie simply in contact with each other, as at first, without 

 any intervening membrane or other organic connection ; and they 

 may still be readily separated from each other by the handle of a 

 knife or the flattened end of a probe. The corpus luteum at this 

 time may also be stripped out, or enucleated entire, from the ovarian 

 tissue, just as might have been done with the Graafian follicle pre- 

 viously to its rupture. When enucleated in this way, the corpus 

 luteum presents itself under the form of a solid globular or flat- 

 tened tumor, with convolutions upon it somewhat similar in ap- 

 pearance to those of the brain, and covered with the remains of 



