Female Reproductive Cycle Flashcards
proliferative phase endometrial measurement
2-8 mm
secretory phase endometrial measurement
7-14 mm
normal endometrial thickness during menstruation
< 1 mm
Where is GnRH released from?
hypothalamus
What is GnRH?
gonadotropin releasing hormone
Where is FSH released from?
anterior pituitary gland
Where is LH released from?
anterior pituitary gland
What does GnRH stimulate?
the anterior pituitary gland to release FSH & LH
What does FSH stimulate?
follicular growth (begins estrogen production)
What does LH stimulate?
ovulation (stimulates corpus luteum & production of estrogen, progesterone & relaxin)
What two hormones are known as gonadotropins?
FSH & LH
What triggers the hypothalamus to release GnRH?
low levels of estrogen during menstruation
What is a Graafian follicle?
the primary follicle, chosen to mature and release its oocyte
What hormonal change triggers ovulation?
surge of LH caused by a sharp peak in estrogen secretion from the mature follicle; FSH secretion inhibited by increased estrogen levels
What is the fate of the Graafian follicle?
bursts at ovulation and becomes the corpus luteum, or fails to burst and degenerates, forming a corpus fibrosum
What is the fate of the corpus luteum?
grows to maintain a pregnancy, or degenerates to become a corpus albicans
What is the function of the corpus luteum?
secretes hormones that prepare the endometrium for implantation and maintain it until the placenta is established
What hormonal changes occur after ovulation?
the corpus luteum secretes higher levels of progesterone, and lessens estrogen secretion
When does the corpus luteum begin to degenerate?
10-12 days post-ovulation, day 22-24 of the woman’s cycle
What hormonal change triggers menstruation?
estrogen and progesterone levels fall: the corpus luteum degenerates, failing to maintain the endometrial lining
proliferative phase, aka
follicular phase
follicular phase, aka
proliferative phase
secretory phase, aka
luteal phase
luteal phase, aka
secretory phase
The menstrual phase comprises which days of the female cycle?
days 1-5
The proliferative phase comprises which days of the female cycle?
days 6-14
Ovulation occurs on which day of the female cycle?
day 14
The secretory phase comprises which days of the female cycle?
days 14-28
Where is estrogen secreted, specifically?
granulosa cells of ovarian follicles
What does estrogen stimulate?
release of LH upon peak, proliferation of endometrium
What does progesterone stimulate?
hypertrophy of the endometrium
When is progesterone production at it’s peak?
7 days post-ovulation
What hormone does progesterone inhibit?
LH
List two applications of relaxin
dilation of the cervix to promote sperm entry and during labour, relaxation of the symphysis pubis for flexibility during delivery
What phase of the female cycle is also known as the 3-stripe phase?
proliferative/follicular
Mittelschmerz
pain associated with ovulation
During which phase of the female cycle is endometrial coaptation observed on ultrasound?
secretory phase
normal thickness of a post-menopausal endometrium
1-5 mm
What happens to the ruptured follicle/corpus luteum after it degenerates?
corpus albicans - small white scar on ovary
cumulus oophorus
ovum with zona pellucida and corona radiata that is protruding from the follicle wall into the follicular fluid cavity just prior to ovulation
What happens to the spiral arterioles during the proliferative phase
they undergo mitosis so quickly that they coil
What happens to a follicle that never ruptures/ovulation never occurs?
corpus fibrosum - fluid reabsorbs and small scar forms
first menses
menarche
menarche
first menses
perimenopause
irregular cycles occurring in a woman’s late 40’s, prior to menopause
irregular cycles occurring in a woman’s late 40’s, prior to menopause
perimenopause
menopause
1 year without menses
What is responsible for rhythmic contractions in the fallopian tubes?
estrogen
What stimulates cervical mucus secretion?
estrogen
What causes an increase in body temperature during the female cycle?
progesterone secretion at ovulation
uterine mucosa, aka
endometrium
premenstrual phase, aka
secretory phase
progestational phase, aka
secretory phase
pseudodecidual phase, aka
secretory phase
The endometrium is normally 2-8 mm during which phase of the female cycle?
proliferative
The endometrium is normally 7-14 mm during which phase of the female cycle?
secretory
immature Graafian follicle measurement
1 mm
mature Graafian follicle measurement at ovulation
18-27 mm
How long before the corpus luteum degenerates, if fertilization does not occur?
10-12 days
