Which term describes the short-lived structures formed in the ovaries after ovulation?

The term that describes the short-lived structures formed in the ovaries after ovulation is "corpora lutea." Following the release of an oocyte during ovulation, the remnants of the follicle undergo transformation into the corpus luteum. This structure plays a crucial role in producing hormones, particularly progesterone, which is essential for regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining early pregnancy. The lifespan of the corpus luteum is relatively short, lasting approximately two weeks if fertilization does not occur, after which it degenerates if pregnancy does not ensue.

In contrast, follicles refer to the structures in which oocytes develop before ovulation. They undergo several stages of growth and maturation prior to the release of the egg and do not signify a post-ovulation structure. Oocytes are the actual egg cells produced in the ovaries, and while they are critical to reproduction, they do not describe the structures that form after ovulation. Cysts generally refer to abnormal fluid-filled sacs that can occur in the ovaries and are not a normal part of the ovulation process. Therefore, the choice of "corpora lutea" specifically captures the physiological changes that occur immediately following ovulation in the ovarian cycle.