Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

OB/GYN original > Female Physiology > Flashcards

Female Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

What hormones are responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle?

A 
Gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Estrogen
Progesterone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is GnRH secreted by? When is it secreted?

A

By the hypothalamus

When serum estradiol levels fall below a given concentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

GnRH signals the _______ _______ _______ to secrete _______ _______ _______ and _______ _______.

A

anterior pituitary gland

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 
luteinizing hormone (LH)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does FSH stimulate?

A

The growth and development of ovarian follicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does LH stimulate? What does this then cause?

A

The maturation of follicle and is responsible for Graafian follicular rupture causing ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which organ in the reproductive system secretes estrogen and progesterone? Specify what secretes these in this organ.

A

Ovary

Estrogen = secreted by developing follicles (and in lesser amounts the corpus luteum)

Progesterone = secreted by the corpus luteum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the pituitary gonadotropins?

A

FSH and LH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Any “-tropic” hormone signals what?

A

Another organ to function or secrete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What cells within the follicles produce estrogen? What does this then stimulate?

A

Theca cells

Stimulates endometrial growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What stimulates progesterone production? When does progesterone peak?

A

Rupture of the Graafian follicle which causes ovulation

Peaks after ovulation in secretory phase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When the fertilized ovum implants into the endometrium, _____ signals _______ _______ to continue secreting _______ to prevent shedding of the endometrial lining.

A

hCG
corpus luteum
progesterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What happens to progesterone and the endometrium if implantation does not occur?

A

Levels decrease and the uterine lining sheds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define menarche.

A

The onset of menses, usually occurring between 11-14 years of age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

When does menopause usually occur? What age is considered premature menopause?

A

44-55 years of age = menopause

prior to age 40 = premature menopause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When do FSH and LH peak?

A

Mid-cycle, ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When does estrogen peak?

A

Proliferative phase, before ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Sonographic findings of a dominant follicle:

A
  • any follicle measuring >11mm will most likely ovulate
  • grows linearly (approximately 2-3mm/day)
  • maximum diameter varies between 15 and 30mm
  • line of decreased reflectivity around follicle suggests ovulation will occur within 24 hours
  • presence of cumulus oophorus (mural nodule within follicle) suggests ovulation will occur within 36 hours
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the follicular phase: what days does it occur? What is it stimulated by? When does the dominant follicle appear and what will it measure?

A

Days 1-14
Stimulate by FSH
Several follicles develop, but the dominant follicle may be identified by about day 8 when it measures 10mm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define Mittelschmerz.

A

Unilateral pelvic pain occurring mid-cycle, associated with ovulation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When does ovulation occur?

A

MID-CYCLE (~day 14)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe ovulation and the sonographic findings.

A

A surge of LH secretion causes rupture of follicular membrane (usually within 24-36 hours after surge)

Sonographic findings:

  • sudden decrease in follicular size
  • free fluid in posterior cul-de-sac
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Describe the luteal phase: what days does this occur? What is secreting progesterone and for what reason? What happens if there is no pregnancy?

A

Days 15-28
The corpus luteum is secreting progesterone to prepare and maintain the endometrium for implantation

If there is no pregnancy:

  • absence of hCG
  • corpus luteum regresses and atrophies and becomes corpus albicans
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the sonographic findings during the luteal phase?

A
  • replacement of dominant cystic follicle with an echogenic structure representing thrombus (corpus albicans)
  • small irregular cystic mass with irregular thick borders and low-level echoes
  • Doppler findings of a hyper vascular corpus luteum with low resistance flow (ring of fire - CL is performing a vital to life function)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the menstrual phase: include what days.

A

Days 1-5

Sloughing of the superficial layer of endometrial tissue and blood cells (menses)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Describe the sonographic findings of beginning and end of menstrual phase.
Beginning of menses: - endometrium thickened - might see fluid in endo - complex appearance End of menses: - endometrium thinned, slightly irregular - endo max diameter of 2mm
26
Describe the proliferative phase: include what days/how long does it last/when does it end?
Days 6-14 - Regeneration/proliferation of endometrium is stimulated by estrogen and secreted by the developing follicles - lasts about 10 days and ends at ovulation
27
Sonographic findings of the proliferative phase
Early proliferative: - endometrium = hypoechoic area around prominent midline echo ``` Late proliferative (peri-ovulatory): - tri-layered endometrium (3 line sign) with a hyper echoic basalis, hyperechoic functionalis and a hyperechoic line indicating the cavity ```
28
When you see the three line sign, about what day in the phase are they at?
About day 14
29
Describe the secretory phase: what days/what happens to the endometrium/what happens in the absence of fertilization?
Days 15-28 Endometrium becomes edematous and spongy due to progesterone In absence of fertilization/implantation: - no hCG production so the endometrial glands fragment and undergo autolysis to start the cycle again
30
Describe the sonographic findings of the secretory phase.
Endometrium appearance: - homogeneous - hyperechoic - obscured midline echo - may have posterior acoustic enhancement - max diameter 14-16mm
31
Define hypermenorrhea. What is another name for it?
Excessive volume during cyclic menstrual bleeding AKA menorrhagia
32
Define hypomenorrhea.
An abnormally small amount of menstrual bleeding
33
Define polymenorrhea.
Frequent menstrual bleeding occurring less than 21 days apart
34
Define oligomenorrhea.
Menstrual bleeding occurring more than 35 days apart
35
Define metrorrhagia. What population does this most frequently occur with?
Irregular, frequent bleeding Especially in patients near menopause
36
Define menometrorrhagia.
Bleeding that is irregular in both frequency and volume
37
Define intermenstrual bleeding.
Bleeding that occurs between normal cycles
38
Define breakthrough bleeding.
Intermenstrual bleeding in OCP or HRT
39
Define postcoital bleeding.
Bleeding after vaginal intercourse
40
Define dysmenorrhea
Painful bleeding
41
Define amenorrhea and the two types.
Absence of menstrual flow Primary: patient has never had a period Seconday: patient had periods but they stopped
42
Define post-menopausal bleeding.
Bleeding occurring 1 year after menopause or at unanticipated times in HRT
43
Define dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).
Abnormal bleeding from an essentially normal uterus Causes may be functional or organic, and may include endocrine disorders and many others
44
What is the endometrial thickness in each phase: menses, proliferative, secretory.
``` menses = 1-4mm proliferative = 4-8mm secretory = 8-16mm ```
45
Name the dominant hormones of each phase: menses, proliferative, secretory.
``` menses = FSH, estrogen proliferative = FSH, estrogen --- LH at ovulation secretory = progesterone ```
46
What do OCP's prevent? What is the most common regimen in the US?
Prevent conception by inhibiting ovulation Pills with a combination of estrogen and progesterone
47
What will be different sonographically with patients who are on OCP's?
- Won't develop a dominant follicle (bc they don't ovulate) - May have smaller follicles (5-19mm) - Endometrial growth suppressed - can't go by normal measurements
48
What is the general lifespan of an IUD? What are the most common types?
5-10 years Copper-coated (Paraguard, Copper-T) Lippes Loop Hormonal (Mirena, Progestasert, Skyla, Liletta, Kyleena)
49
What commonly happens with the uterus during insertion of an IUD?
Uterine perforation
50
Describe the sonographic appearance of an IUD.
- hyperechoic to the endometrium (could appear isoechoic) - posterior acoustic shadow or other artifact - positioned in fundus or mid portion of uterine body
51
How is sonography used with the placement of IUD's?
Sonography is used to confirm IUD position in the uterus or evaluate for myometrial perforation. 3D is useful in determining exact location.
52
Define infertility.
The inability of a man and woman to achieve pregnancy after at least a year of having regular intercourse without any type of birth control.
53
How many couples does infertility affect? Approximately how many are due to female factors, male factors, both partners and how many are unexplained?
1 in 7 couples Female factors = 40% Male factors = 40% Both = 5-10% Unexplained = 5-10%
54
What do the female factors for infertility include?
- an ovulation and abnormal ovulation - tubal and transport factors (ie adhesions, hydrosalpinx) - endometriosis - uterine factors (ie myoma, congenital anomalies) - polycystic ovarian syndrome - cervical factors
55
How is sonography used in in-vitro fertilization programs?
- Establishes normal uterine anatomy and evaluates endocrine indicators (ie: thickness, texture of endo and presence of intracavitary lesions or fluid) - Monitors the development of growing follicles and determine the timing of injection of hCG to trigger ovulation - Confirms ovarian response to various drugs (ie Clomid, Pergonal), or identify hyperstimulated ovaries - Guide oocyte retrieval from ovaries
56
What are the ovulation induction medications?
- Clomiphene Citrate - Gonadotropins - Glucophage (metformin) - hCG - Parlodel and dostinex
57
What does clomiphene citrate used for?
Tablet used for women who have infrequent periods for long menstrual cycles
58
What are gonadotropins(med) used for?
Injectible medication used to induce the release of the egg once the follicles are developed and the eggs are mature
59
What is glucophage used for? What population is it typically given to and what are the effects of that?
Given to patients as an insulin lowering medication, commonly used in PCOS patients Will reverse PCOS endocrine abnormalities in 2-3 months
60
What is hCG(med) used for?
Used with other drugs to trigger ovulation
61
What are parlodel and dostinex used for?
Used to lower prolactin levels and will reduce pituitary tumor size, should one be present
62
How big are follicles when they are typically aspirated for IVF?
18-24mm
63
What is the IVF sonographic protocol?
- baseline TA sonogram - preliminary TV evaluation of follicles - daily TV to monitor dominant follicles
64
Describe in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Consists of: - ovarian stimulation - needle aspiration of oocytes - incubation of oocytes with sperm - catheter delivery of typically 2-4 embryos into the uterus
65
Describe zygote intrafallopian tube transfer (ZIFT).
Embryo (or zygote) is placed into the fallopian tube (rather than the uterus, as with IVF)
66
Describe gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT).
Sperm and ova are placed into the Fallopian tube
67
Describe intrauterine insemination (IUI). In what cases is this used?
Catheter placement of a sperm preparation into the uterine fundus Used in cases of male factor infertility
68
What is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)?
A condition resulting from excessive stimulation of the ovaries in women taking fertility drugs
69
What are the sonographic findings of OHSS?
- large simple cysts with an ovarian diameter of >5cm - bilateral - resemble theca lutein cysts - may have ascites and pleural effusion
70
When/how does OHSS usually resolve?
Mild cases usually resolve spontaneously following the next menstrual cycle More severe cases are associated with a high mortality rate (50%) and may require hospitalization to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances - more severe in patients who conceive
71
The incidence of ______ ______ increased with successful fertility treatment.
multiple gestations

OB/GYN original (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions