Once a |graafian follicle| discharges its mature ovum, the cavity once occupied by the egg is replaced by luteal cells made of a yellow lipoid material. Together, the erupted |graafian follicle| and its clot of luteal cells compose the |corpus luteum|. If the ovum is fertilized, the corpus lutem will eventually create ~hormones~ which regulate the development of the |placenta|, the suppression of menstruation, the growth of the mammary |glands|, and the eventual development of more mature ova. If the ovum is not fertilized, the |corpus luteum| will become interpenetrated by ~blood~ |capillaries| and will eventualy disintegrate to leave a small scar tissue called the corpus albicans. In these terms, luteum means yellow, while albicans means white.
