406 THE FEMALE KEPKODUCTIVE ORGANS 



Minute vascular sprouts of embryonic connective tissue now 

 penetrate 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 fre- 



FIG. 328. SECTION THROUGH THE PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A CORPUS LUTEUM, 

 SHOWING LUTEIN CELLS. 



a, the fibrous coat of the corpus luteum ; 6, lutein cells with bands of newly formed 

 connective tissue ; c, central blood clot, partially organized. Moderately magnified. 

 (After Williams.) 



quently unite to inclose the remnant of the central blood clot, or 

 by further proliferation they may entirely replace the clot by a 

 mass of newly formed gelatinous connective tissue. 



The absorption of the blood clot usually proceeds slowly. Rem- 

 nants 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 organized with connect- 

 ive tissue. 



The formation of new connective 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 



