XIIl] 



FEMALE GEXERATIVE ORGANS 



177 



liquor foUiculi is discharged from the ovary. The remaining epi- 

 thelial cells then undergo a great and rapid hypertrophy becoming 

 converted into the luteal cells of the fully formed corpus luteum. 

 At the same time strands of connective tissue grow inward from 



Fig. 90. Early stage in fonnation of corpus luteum 

 of mouse (after Sobotta from Schafer). I de- 

 veloping luteal cells, g germinal epithelium. 



Fig. 91. Late stage in formation of coi^pus luteum 

 of mouse (after Sobotta fi'om Schafer). 



the wall of the follicle earr;ying blood vessels along with them, so 

 that the comjjletely developed corpus luteum consists of large 

 luteal cells partly separated by an anastomosis of connective 

 tissue, the whole structtu'e being highly vascularised. The remains 

 of the central cavity of the original follicle is eventually filled in 

 by a plug of connective tissue. The epithelial cells increase to 



