178 



HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY. 



ened, from the deposition of a reddish-yellow, glutinous substance, a 

 product of cell growth from the proper coat of the follicle and the membrana 

 granulosa. After the ovum escapes, there is usually a small effusion of 

 blood into the cavity of the follicle, which soon coagulates, loses its coloring 

 matter, and acquires the characteristics of fibrin, but it takes no part in the 

 formation of the corpus luteum. The walls of the follicle become convo- 

 luted, vascular, and undergo hypertrophy, until they occupy the whole of 

 the follicular cavity. At its period of fullest development, the corpus luteum 

 measures three-fourths of an inch in length and half an inch in depth. In 

 a few weeks the mass loses its red color, and becomes yellow, constituting 

 the corpus luteum or yellow body. It then begins to retract, and becomes 

 pale; and at the end of two months nothing remains but a small cicatrix 

 upon the surface of the ovary. Such are the changes in the follicle, if the 

 ovum has not been impregnated. 



The corpus luteum, after impregnation has taken place, undergoes a 

 much slower development, becomes larger, and continues during the entire 

 period of gestation. The difference between the corpus luteum of the 

 unimpregnated and pregnant condition is expressed in the following table 

 by Dalton : 



Corpus Luteum of Menstruation. Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy. 



At the end of 



three weeks. 

 One month. 



Two months. 



Four months. 



Six months. 



Nine months. 



Three-quarters of an inch in 

 reddish ; convoluted wall pale. 



diameter; central clot 



Smaller ; convoluted 

 wall bright yellow ; clot 

 still reddish. 



Reduced to the condi- 

 tion of an insignificant 

 cicatrix. 



Absent or unnoticeable. 



Absent. 



Absent. 



Larger ; convoluted wall 

 bright yellow ; clot still red- 

 dish. 



Seven-eighths of an inch 

 in diameter; convoluted wall 

 bright yellow; clot perfectly 

 decolorized. 



Seven- eighths of an inch 

 in diameter; clot pale and 

 fibrinous ; convoluted wall 

 dull yellow. 



Still as large as at the end 

 of second month ; clot fibrin- 

 ous ; convoluted wall paler. 



Half an inch in diameter; 

 central clot converted into a 

 radiating cicatrix ; external 

 wall tolerably thick and con- 

 voluted, but without any 

 bright yellow color. 



