MENSTRUAL CYCLE Flashcards
What is the average length of the menstrual cycle?
28 days
What do we call the first period of a girl’s life?
Menarche
What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle and how long is each?
Follicular phase - first 13/14 days
Ovulation
Luteal phase - latter 13/14 days
What happens in the ovaries during the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle (the follicular phase)?
Development of several primordial follicles into in the end a single, selected tertiary follicle which will then expel the ovum so that it can escape the ovaries during ovulation. The structure left behind is called the corpus luteum.
What happens in the ovaries during the latter 14 days of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase)?
The corpus luteum (the structure left behind by the ovum) release progesterone and oestrogen before being slowly broken down into first the corpus albicans before being fully degraded.
What are the three phases of the uterine cycle and how long is each?
Menses - first 7 days
Proliferative stage - days 7-14
Secretory phase - Latter 14 days
What is happening to the uterus during menses of the menstrual cycle?
There is a breakdown of the uterus endometrium.
What is happening to the uterus during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle?
The endometrium is built up/thickened to be ready for implantation.
What is happening to the uterus during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?
The endometrium is maintained whilst the corpus luteum is continuously secreting hormones, before both structures begin to break down and eventually menses starts.
What are the two pituitary hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?
Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
What are the two ovarian hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
What is the hormone that is at its highest during the first week of the menstrual cycle and is responsible for initiating the follicular phase of the ovarian menstrual cycle?
Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
What is the hormone that has a small rise around day 3 or 4 of the menstrual cycle which initiates the release of another hormone during this phase?
Oestrogen which initiates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH)
What is the hormone largely responsible for the release of the oocyte in ovulation by having a sudden rise in concentration on about day 13?
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
What is the hormone responsible for the proliferative stage of the uterine cycle?
Oestrogen