Which phase of the menstrual cycle corresponds to the formation of the corpus luteum?

The formation of the corpus luteum occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovarian follicle, the remnants of the follicle transform into the corpus luteum. This structure is crucial as it secretes hormones, primarily progesterone and some estrogen, which prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum eventually degenerates, leading to a decrease in hormone levels and the onset of menstruation. This is why understanding the luteal phase is key in recognizing the hormonal changes that occur after ovulation and their role in the menstrual cycle.

The other phases, such as the follicular phase, focus more on the development of the ovarian follicles and the preparation for ovulation, while the menstrual phase represents the shedding of the uterine lining, following the degeneration of the corpus luteum if no pregnancy has occurred.