The corpus hemorrhagicum ("bleeding corpus luteum") is a temporary structure formed immediately after
ovulation
Ovulation is the release of eggs from the ovaries. In women, this event occurs when the ovarian follicles rupture and release the secondary oocyte ovarian cells. After ovulation, during the luteal phase, the egg will be available to be fertilized ...
from the
ovarian follicle
An ovarian follicle is a roughly spheroid cellular aggregation set found in the ovaries. It secretes hormones that influence stages of the menstrual cycle. At the time of puberty, women have approximately 200,000 to 300,000 follicles, each with th ...
as it collapses and is filled with blood that quickly clots.
After the trauma heals, the subsequent structure is called the
corpus luteum
The corpus luteum (Latin for "yellow body"; plural corpora lutea) is a temporary endocrine structure in female ovaries involved in the production of relatively high levels of progesterone, and moderate levels of estradiol, and inhibin A. It is t ...
(which in turn becomes the
corpus albicans
The corpus albicans (Latin for "whitening body"; also known as atretic corpus luteum, corpus candicans, or simply as albicans) is the regressed form of the corpus luteum. As the corpus luteum is being broken down by macrophages, fibroblasts lay d ...
before degenerating). Sometimes during ovulation, small blood vessels rupture, and the cavity of the ruptured follicle fills with a blood clot, a corpus hemorrhagicum.
References
External links
Image at okstate.edu
{{DEFAULTSORT:Corpus Hemorrhagicum
Mammal female reproductive system