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Corpus Luteum

Meaning

The corpus luteum is a transient endocrine structure that forms within the ovary immediately following the release of an ovum during ovulation. Its primary physiological role is the robust secretion of progesterone, a steroid hormone essential for preparing the uterine endometrium for potential implantation of a fertilized embryo and maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. Should fertilization not occur, this yellow body undergoes a process of involution, transforming into the corpus albicans, thereby marking the end of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The health and function of the corpus luteum are critical determinants of reproductive success.