What is the name of the hormone-secreting structure that develops from an ovarian follicle after an oocyte has been discharged?

The hormone-secreting structure that develops from an ovarian follicle after an oocyte has been discharged is known as the corpus luteum. This structure forms following ovulation, which is the release of the mature oocyte from the Graafian follicle.

Once the oocyte is released, the remaining cells of the follicle undergo a transformation, leading to the formation of the corpus luteum. This structure plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle by secreting hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. These hormones are crucial for maintaining the uterine lining in preparation for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in hormone levels and the eventual onset of menstruation.

In contrast, an ovarian cyst is typically a fluid-filled sac on the ovary that may or may not involve hormonal secretion but is not the structure formed post-ovulation. The follicular phase refers to the stage of the menstrual cycle before ovulation when the follicles are developing. The Graafian follicle is the term used to describe the mature follicle just prior to ovulation, but it is not the structure formed afterward. Thus, the identification of the corpus luteum as the correct answer highlights its