Hemorrhagic Body

Structure and/or Key Feature(s)

After ovulation, the granulosa and the theca interna remain in the wall of the ovary. The corpus luteum forms from this structure after the oocyte is expelled. This large structure mostly resembles a collapsed epithelial bag as the original wall of the mature follicle is now thrown into deep folds, with an internal cavity. A hemorrhagic body (corpus hemorrhagicum or rubrum) is first formed as this internal cavity is usually filled with loose connective tissue, red blood cells and fibrin deposits resulting from hemorrhaging during ovulation. This is all gradually removed but will remain as a central region in the corpus luteum (Ross and Pawlina, 2006).