Menstrual Cycle & Abnormalities Flashcards
Three layers of the uterus
1) Peritoneum
2) Myometrium
3) Endometrium
2 layers of the endometrium
Basal layer and functional layer
Function of the endometrium
Responds to hormones, undergoes growth and stabilization changes during the menstrual cycle. It’s the site of implantation for an embryo
Function of the fallopian tube
Passageway where oocytes travel from ovaries to the uterus. Provides nutrients for the embryo and is crucial to its survival and developent
How does cervical mucus change & what cool stuff can it do
It changes in response to hormones (remember it’s CT, not muscle!) When not ovulating, cervical mucous will prevent sperm from reaching the uterus, which prevents fertilization. Also filters out “unfit” sperm
Functions of the ovaries
Storage, maturation and release of oocytes
Formation of corpus luteum
Production and sevretion of hormones (E and P)
Things that absolutely do not impact the rate of declining eggs in a woman over time
Definitely NOT
Age of menarche, # of pregnancies, use of contraceptives, or # of IVF cycles. We have so many eggs that we’re never going to use.
Most basic stage of oocyte/follicle, found in fetus
Primordial follicle w/ primary oocyte
Final follicle form (one that’s actually going to make a proper egg)
Graafian follicle
Function of hypothalamus in cycles (most basic form)
Pituitary serves as the communication system between the nervous/endocrine system
How can the thyroid gland affect a fetus
Impacts the HPO axis. Elevated thyrotropin stimulates the pit to secrete prolactin. Excess prolactin inhibits GnRH, which can cause pregnancy loss and complications in fetal development.
What does it mean if you’re in the secondary phase/secretory phase?
It means you’ve ovulated, marked by elevated progesterone
Menarche
First menstruation. Usually at 12-13. Abnormal if <8 or >15. % of body fat plays a big part in this. Can make it happen abnormally early/late
Thelarche
Breast development
Pubarche
Pubic hair development
Menorrhagia
Abnormally heavy bleeding at regular intervals.
What to keep in mind when working up menstruation pathologies
Find out if the woman has ovulated or not, this changes the WU
All irregular bleeding must be worked up because it can be a sign of cancer
Metrorrhagia
Bleeding at irregular intervals (the metro always runs at weird times)
Menometrorrhaggia
Abnormally heavy bleeding at irregular intervals.
Intermenstrual bleeding
Bleeding in between normal menstrual cycles
Polymenorrhea
<21 day cycle intervals. Happens too much
Oligomenorrhea
> 35 day cycles. Happens toolittle
Hypomenorrhea
Extremely light menstrual flow
Mittelschmerz
Pain mid cycle from ovulating
Overview of menstrual cycle (read only)
1) Begins at hypoT, which sends GnRH to the pit
2) Pit sends LH/FSH to the ovaries
3) Ovaries send signal to uterine endometrium & negative feedback to the hypoT and pit
4) Uterine endometrium thickens and then bleeds (if not pregnant)
What two phases make up the ovarian cycle
1) Follicular phase. Can vary in length
2) Luteal phase. Post ovulation, will always be 14 days.
What three phases make up the uterine cycle?
1) Proliferative
2) Secretory phase
3) Menstruation (or pregnancy)
Ovarian follicular phase corresponds to the _____
Proliferative phase of the uterine cycle
Ovarian luteal phase corresponds to the ________
Secretory phase of the uterine cycle
Uterine Proliferative phase corresponds to the _______
Follicular phase of the ovarian cycle
Uterine Secretory phase corresponds to the ________
Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle
How long is the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?
14 days
If you don’t ovulate, you don’t have ____ phase of the ovarian cycle
Luteal
What happens to the corpus luteum if unfertilized?
Undergoes apoptosis/macrocytosis and forms the corpus albicans
What day of the cycle does ovulation happen at?
14 days
When does the secretory phase of the uterine cycle begin?
Begins after ovulation! Secretes loads of progesterone to stabilize the endometrium so it can sustain a fetus
What two cells are oocytes surrounded by? What are their function?
Surrounded by granulosa cells and theca cells.
Granulosa- Contain FSH receptors and produce estrogen! Also helps out by converting androgens to estrogen.
Theca- Contains LH receptors and makes estrogen.