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Flashcards in Menstrual Cycle Deck (43)
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1
Q

The menstrual cycle is defined as a series of changes controlled by hormones from the _____ gland and _____ that help prepare the female ____ for possible pregnancy

A

Pituitary gland, ovaries, uterus

2
Q

The first day of menstruation is considered Day ___ and Day ___ of the cycle.

A

28 and 1

3
Q

How many stages are there in the menstrual cycle? What are they?

A

4

Follicular/proliferative stage, Ovulation, Secretory/Luteal phase, Menstruation

4
Q

During the follicular/proliferative phase, the _____ produces FSH causing follicles (egg cell capsules) to form/mature. As the follicle grows, its cells produce ______ in increasing amounts.

A

pituitary

estrogen

5
Q

Estrogen has (negative/positive) feedback on the pituitary FSH production.

A

Negative

6
Q

_____ causes the uterine lining (endometrium) to grow thicker

A

Estrogen

7
Q

Pituitary FSH causes several follicles in each ovary to mature at once, however, only 1 (typically) becomes the _____ follicle and ovulates

A

dominant

8
Q

If >1 dominant follicle occurs, what can result?

A

Twins!

9
Q

Ovarian follicles have several types of cells, what are they? Describe them.

A

Granulosa cells: several-cells-thick layer surrounding the egg and fluid around it

Cumulus cells: specialized layer of granulosa cells directly surrounding egg

Theca Cells: 2 thick layers of cells that surround the granulosa cells, outside of their basal lamina

10
Q

____ and ____ cells make estrogen when stimulated by FSH to grow/divide

A

Theca and Granulosa

11
Q

Once a follicle is clearly dominant, other follicles become _____ and _____

A

atretic and shrink

12
Q

Typically, a dominant follicle must grow to at least _____ cm in diameter to ovulate

A

2.5 cm

13
Q

All maturing follicles are secreting ______

A

estrogen (causes thickening of uterine lining)

14
Q

During the follicular phase, estrogen is (inhibitory/stimulatory) to FSH and (inhibitory/stimulatory) to LH –> (negative/positive) feedback

A

Inhibitory; stimulatory

Positive feedback

15
Q

Increased estrogen from the dominant follicle stimulates the ______ gland to produce _____; as Estrogen climbs rapidly, the dominant follicle gets big, and ____ production suddenly spikes/surges.

A

pituitary; LH; LH

16
Q

What is the direct cause of ovulation?

A

LH surge

17
Q

During ovulation, _____ potentiates GnRH and _____ inhibits FSH

A

Activin; Inhibin

18
Q

Activin is made by ______ in the ______ phase and stimulates pituitary production of _____ –> (negative/positive) feedback

A

follicles; follicular; FSH; positive

19
Q

Inhibin A: made in ______ phase, peaks at _______

Inhibin B: made in ______ phase and does a lot to inhibit _____

A

Follicular; ovulation

Luteal; FSH

20
Q

During the Secretory/Luteal phase, the ruptured follicle heals inside the ovary, forming the _______ _______

A

corpus luteum (“yellow body”)

21
Q

The corpus luteum produces _______

A

progesterone

22
Q

The corpus luteum is necessary until _____ wks when the placenta is is making sufficient estrogen and progesterone

A

~8-11 wks

23
Q

What does the estrogen/progesterone combo maintain during the secretory/luteal phase?

A

The added growth of uterine lining

24
Q

If an ovulated egg is fertilized and a blastocyst implants,

_____ and _____ stabilize the corpus luteum and prevent it from decomposing, which maintains ______ levels

A

HCG and LH; progesterone

25
Q

An embryo in the uterus will secrete _____

A

HCG

26
Q

HCG mimics _____, maintaining the uterine lining just like ____ does

A

LH

27
Q

The endometrium is not shed when _____ is present

A

HCG

28
Q

What is the chemical that is detected by pregnancy tests?

A

HCG

29
Q

If there is no blastocyst implantation, what occurs?

A

Menstruation

30
Q

LH levels gradually (decrease/increase) after the LH surge

A

Decrease

31
Q

On what day during the menstrual cycle does ovulation usually occur?

A

day 14

32
Q

If embryo is not implanted by 14 days after ovulation, what will happen to the corpus luteum? Estrogen and progesterone levels?

A

corpus luteum decomposes

estrogen and progesterone levels decrease

33
Q

With no progesterone to maintain the uterine lining, the _______ is shed and moves out through the vagina

A

endometrium

34
Q

What is the hormonal event that is the direct trigger for menses to begin?

A

decrease in estrogen and PROGESTERONE levels

35
Q

What is the structure that disintegrates in menses?

A

Corpus luteum, which leads to decrease in progesterone, which leads to endometrial shedding

36
Q

What is the ovarian event that created the corpus luteum/endometrium?

A

Ovulation

37
Q

What is the hormonal event that triggered the maturation of the ovarian follicles?

A

LH surge

38
Q

What are FSH and LH levels typically like on the first day of a woman’s period?

A

Low

39
Q

Are estrogen and progesterone levels high or low on the first day of menstruation?

A

Low

40
Q

OCPs (decrease/increase) the hypothalamic release of GnRH and (decrease/increase) the pituitary release of LH and FSH

A

decrease; decrease (negative feedback!)

41
Q

If a woman is taking an OCP and becomes pregnant, will she still have a period? Explain.

A

No; HCG from pregnancy prevent endometrial shedding, uterine lining will grow with estrogen, and she will not have a period

42
Q

What are the effects of the decrease of pulsatile GnRH and decrease of LH on the ovaries?

A

No maturation of the follicles, no dominant follicle, no LH surge, no ovulation

43
Q

What is happening to the uterus while a woman is taking a daily OCP?

A

The uterine lining will thicken due to progesterone