Question

Corpus Albicans is found in the ovary. It is also found in
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Hint:- Corpus albicans is formed by the rupture of Graafian follicles in the female ovaries. It is a part of the female menstrual cycle. The primary follicles in the ovary get matured into Graafian follicles and release the ovum. After ovulation, the Graafian follicle ruptures and becomes a yellow coloured Corpus luteum which secretes progesterone. In the absence of fertilisation, corpus luteum degenerates and becomes white coloured corpus Albicans.

Complete Answer:- In the human brain, hypothalamus contains the mammillary body, which was previously called corpus Albicans. But later, the term was replaced by the mammillary body, as the degenerating corpus luteum is also called corpus albicans. The mammillary body is a part of the diencephalon of the brain. It is seen as two small round bodies in pairs on the lower surface of the brain. It is associated with the recollection of memory. They help to gain spatial and topographic information. They are seen between the brainstem and cerebrum on either side of the midline of the brain. They are connected to hypothalamus, midbrain and thalamus. Any damage to the mammillary body can cause loss of memory and amnesia.
The liver is the largest gland in the human body which is multi-lobed. It produces bile juice which helps in the digestion of lipids. It is brown in colour and has the ability to regenerate. A pair of kidneys are present in humans whose function is the filtration of blood. Blood is filtered and the waste is expelled as urine through the urethra.

The correct answer is option (B), Brain.

Note:- Corpus albicans in the human body primarily refers to the ovarian corpus albicans which is white in colour and is formed by the degeneration of corpus luteum in the absence of fertilisation after about 12 days. Corpus albicans was the former name of mammillary bodies seen as a pair in the diencephalon part of the brain. They are seen as two nuclei- medial mammillary nuclei and lateral mammillary nuclei. Damage to mammillary bodies can occur due to the lack of thiamine. Mammillary body atrophy is seen in Alzheimer disease, heart disease etc. The exact function of the mammillary body is not yet confirmed.