The Physiology of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle consists of two phases: —

the follicular phase and the luteal phase

— of the ovarian cycle is considered to begin on day 1 and lasts until day 14, thus, in effect, ending with ovulation

The follicular phase

During the follicular phase, —, which initiates the follicular development of the ovary

the anterior pituitary gland secretes FSH

Whereas numerous follicles manifest, only one follicle will be maintained and become the —

Graafian follicle or dominant follicle prior to ovulation

This Graafian follicle, which can grow as large as —, contains the developing oocyte (egg) within a region called the —

2.7 cm; cumulus oophorus

Around —, LH, produced by the anterior pituitary gland, stimulates ovulation, at which time the Graafian follicle

day 14

around ovulation, the Graafian follicle, which has grown to a size of —, ruptures and expels a small amount of fluid and the ovum into the peritoneum

15 to 27 mm

At the time of ovulation, the individual may feel a twinge of pain, and this is termed —

mittelschmerz

The ovum that was expelled by the ovary is picked up by the —, either to be fertilized, resorbed by the body, or passed with menstruation

fimbria of the fallopian tube and is propelled through the tube

The fluid from the ruptured follicle mostly collects in the —

posterior cul-de-sac

The second phase of the ovarian cycle, days 15 to 28, is termed the—

luteal phase

After the Graafian follicle ruptures, it is temporarily turned into an endocrine gland in the form of the —

corpus luteum

The corpus luteum, while producing estrogen in small amounts, primarily produces — to maintain the thickness of the endometrium and prepares the endometrium for the (conceivably) fertilized ovum

progesterone

While the corpus luteum depends on LH to be maintained, progesterone negatively inhibits the production of LH by the anterior pituitary gland, resulting in the —

regression of the corpus luteum

The remaining structure of the corpus luteum is now termed the —

corpus albicans