Observations on corpora lutea. Part 1 [-2] / By Robert Paterson, M.D., physician to the Leith Dispensary.

  • R.H. Paterson
Date:
[1840?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on corpora lutea. Part 1 [-2] / By Robert Paterson, M.D., physician to the Leith Dispensary. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    luteum, that it is larger in the early months, and proportionally diminishes in size as we approach the full term of pregnancy. Its colour is now most generally of a dingy-yellow ; occasionally the yellow is very bright, (see Fig. 7), and not unfrequently it has a reddish hue. Dr Montgomery believed that this reddish hue of the corpus luteum is always communicated to it in consequence of inflammation existing in the uterus and ovaries at the time of death. This change of the usual colour cannot always be traced to such a cause. We have frequently observed it when no in¬ flammation of these parts existed at the time of death, and a si¬ milar variation of colour, is occasionally seen in the lower animals. Thus we have seen the corpus luteum of the cow, of a pinkish yellow colour, and that of the ewe of a yellow colour throughout, their ordinary respective colours being orange and pink. We believe it is as liable to change of colour as lymph effused on any other membrane has. Figs. 6 and 10 may be consulted for the sake of comparison. Fig. 6 is the natural appearance of the cor¬ pus luteum. The patient died from the effects of ruptured uterus, two hours after delivery. No evidence of inflammatory action hav¬ ing existed in these parts was obtained upon dissection. For this case, I am indebted to Dr Craigie of Leith, who was cal¬ led in by the midwife who had charge of the case. Fig. 10, on the contrary, was taken from the body of a female who died of inflammation of uterus from retained placenta one month after mature delivery. For this preparation I am also indebted to Dr Craigie. The central cavity, too, if one existed in the early months, be¬ gins to contract, and is then generally to be found (more especially towards the later months^in the form of a central irregular white and puckered line. This, however, is not always the case. We have alreadyi-emarked that, from the very first, occasionally, no central cavity exists, but when it does exist, and its internal coat- ing of lymph is thick, it not unfrequently retains its cavity entire throughout the whole course of pregnancy. This is well seen in Figs, 6 and 8, taken from individuals who died after mature delivery. We conceive that one of the most distinguishing marks of this body during the period that we are at present considering, is to be found in its regular shape. This is never to be seen in the bodies which have been denominated false corpora lutea, which will be considered immediately. We have seen the corpus luteum once or twice with an appendage in the shape of an additional lo¬ bule ; but that also, as well as the corpus luteum itself, was rounded and not in the least irregular in its outline. In its centre it may either have a fibrinous mass, a central cavity, or a white puckered line. u Of this latter appearance,1’ says Dr Montgomery, u it ought to be observed, that it is visible as long as any distinct
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