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MD003 > The Menstrual Cycle > Flashcards

The Menstrual Cycle Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus

A

Communicates via hormones to anterior pituitary
Communicates via electrical signals to posterior pituitary

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2
Q

Where is the pituitary gland found

A

Sits within sella turcica in sphenoid bone

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3
Q

How is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus

A

Infundibulum- pituitary stalk

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4
Q

What is the Infundibulum

A

Pituitary stalk
Connects hypothalamus to pituitary

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5
Q

What is the pituitary gland divided into

A

Anterior and posterior lobes

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6
Q

What does the pituitary stalk contain

A

Hypophyseal portal system

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7
Q

Where is the hypophyseal portal system found

A

In the pituitary stalk

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8
Q

What is the portal system

A

Set of capillaries and veins that connect organs without going to the heart

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9
Q

What does LH stand for

A

Luteinising hormone

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10
Q

What does FSH stand for

A

Follicle stimulating hormone

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11
Q

What is the HPG axis

A

Hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis

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12
Q

What does the HPG axis in females do

A

Promotes oestrogen and progesterone release
Controls menstrual cycle

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13
Q

What is GnRH

A

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone

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14
Q

What does GnRH do

A

Stimulates anterior pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH

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15
Q

How is LH and FSH released

A

GnRH travels to pituitary in hypohyseal portal system
Stimulates anterior pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH

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16
Q

What is the function of seminiferous tubules

A

Location of spermatogenisis
Contain Sertoli cells

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17
Q

Where does spermatogenisis take place

A

In the seminiferous tubules

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18
Q

What is the function of Sertoli cells

A

Sensitive to FSH- increase sperm production
Secrete inhibin- feedback on anterior pituitary and FSH

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19
Q

What is does interstitial tissue contain

A

Leydig cells

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20
Q

What do leydig cells do

A

Produce testosterone

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21
Q

What cells does fSH stimulate

A

Granulosa cells

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22
Q

What hormone stimulates granulosa cells

A

FSH

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23
Q

What cells does LH stimulate

A

Theca interna cells

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24
Q

What hormone stimulates theca interna cells

A

LH

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25
What is the function of theca interna cells
Releases androgens
26
What is the function of granulosa cells
Aid in follicular development
27
How long is an average menstrual cycle
21-35 days
28
How long is the Luteal phase
Always 14 days
29
How long is the follicular phase
Varies in length
30
What are the stages in the ovarian cycle
Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase
31
What are the stages in the uterine cycle
Menstrual phase Proliferative phase Secretory phase
32
What occurs at the beginning of the the follicular phase
Granulosa cells secrete activin Increases FSH production
33
At the beginning of the follicular phase in the ovarian cycle, there is an increase in FSH production. What does this increase in FSH cause
Stimulates follicle growth Stimulates theca interna Increases oestrogen levels
34
In the early stages the follicular phase in the ovarian cycle, what causes granulosa cells to switch from producing activin to inhibin
Increase in oestrogen
35
What does the increase in oestrogen cause
Causes granulosa cells to switch from producing activin to producing inhibin
36
What does the increase in oestrogen cause in the late follicular phase of the ovarian cycle
Reduce FSH production through negative feedback on HPG axis Increases number of FSH receptors on follicle Increases LH receptors on theca cells
37
Why is it important for FSH levels to decrease in the late follicular phase
Prevents overgrowth of too many follicles
38
What is the function of inhibin in the late follicular phase
Decreases FSH production Helps LH to increase theca cell androgen production so that it can get converted to oestrogen
39
What happens to oestrogen, inhibin and FSH in the late follicular phase
Oestrogen and inhibin increases FSH decreases
40
What occurs in the ovulatory phase in the ovarian cycle
LH surge
41
What causes the LH surge in the ovulatory phase
High level of Oestrogen causes positive feedback on HPG axis increasing LH
42
What occurs during the ovulation phase in the ovarian cycle
Formation of the secondary oocyte from the mature follicle (primary oocyte) Release of the secondary oocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tube ‘Empty’ follicle remains remains in ovary
43
How is the secondary oocyte in ovulation formed
Meiosis I completed before ovulation Produces secondary oocyte and small polar body
44
What happens to the oocyte during ovulation in terms of meiosis
Meiosis I completed before ovulation Produces secondary oocyte and polar body Secondary oocyte begins meiosis II but doesnt finish it until fertilization in fallopian tube
45
What occurs after the secondary oocyte is formed and has begun meiosis II
Travels through capsule of ovary into fallopian tube
46
What occurs during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle
Formation of corpus luteum
47
How is the corpus luteum formed in the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle
The secondary oocyte is released from the mature follicle Leaves an empty follicle in the ovary LH stimulates remaining follicle to develop into corpus luteum
48
What is the function of the corpus luteum
Secretes oestrogen and progesterone in large quantities
49
What are the parts of the endometrium
Epithelium and stroma
50
The endometrium undergoes physical changes during the menstrual cycle. This is known as the uterine cycle. How does the endometrium look during the early proliterative phase
Few endometrial glands- not densely packed Less than 2mm thick
51
What does the endometrium look like during the late proliferative phase during the uterine cycle
Endometrial glands become coiled Increase in number of glands 2 mm thick
52
What does the endometrium look like during the secretory phase during the uterine cycle
Endometrium at its thickest Very coiled glands Coiled arterioles
53
What occurs at the very end of the menstrual cycle if fertilisation doesnt occur
Corpus luteum forms into corpus albicans Dramatic fall in oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin Loss of negative feedback- FSH starts to rise Beginning of new cycle
54
Why does corpus luteum become corpus albicans at the end of the menstrual cycle
Due to the dramatic decrease in oestrogen, progesterone inhibin
55
What occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle when oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin decrease
Corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans
56
What happens if fertilisation occurs before the end of the menstrual cycle
Syncytiotrophoblasts produce hCG Extends the lifespan of corpus luteum
57
What does oestrogen do internally during the follicular phase
Thickens and proliferates endometrium Enhances fallopian tube function Growth and motility of myometrium
58
What does oestrogen do internally during the follicular phase
Forms thin alkaline cervical mucus Causes vaginal, skin, hair and metabolism changes
59
What does progesterone do internally during the luteal phase
Produces secretory endometrium Thickens myometrium Reduces motility
60
What does progesterone do externally during the luteal phase
Forms thick, acidic cervical mucus Develops breast tissue Increases body temperature Metabolic and electrolyte changes
61
What is the variation in the cycle length due to
The length of the follicular phase
62
What factors can disrupt the cycle
Pregnancy Lactation Emotional stress Body weight Infertility

MD003 (19 decks)

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