Final answer:
The corpus luteum is formed in the ovary from the ruptured follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone to prepare and maintain the uterine lining for pregnancy. Its function is essential in the menstrual cycle and for early pregnancy maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origin and Function of the Corpus Luteum
The corpus luteum is an endocrine tissue that forms in the ovary after an egg has been released during ovulation. It originates from the remains of the ovarian follicle that has ruptured to release the egg. Following the release of the egg, the follicular tissue grows into a structure known as the corpus luteum. Its primary role is to secrete progesterone, a hormone crucial for preparing and maintaining the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.
Progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum also plays other roles, including inhibiting the production of the hormones GnRH, FSH, and LH, which ensures that no other follicles develop during this time. If fertilization of the egg does not occur, the corpus luteum will degenerate and progesterone levels will decline. This decrease in progesterone triggers the breakdown of the endometrium and leads to the onset of the menstrual cycle.
The correct answer to the question is c) It is created in the ovary and produces progesterone to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.