The Physiology of the Endometrial Cycle

The innermost portion of the endometrium, the functional layer, is the layer that is stimulated by the hormones of the ovary to —

undergo changes throughout the menstrual cycle

the functional layer provides an —

appropriate location for the implantation of the products of conception

The outermost portion of the endometrium, the basal layer, is only slightly altered during the menstrual cycle. It consists of —

dense, cellular stroma

The endometrial cycle consists of two phases:—

the proliferative phase and the secretory phase

The proliferative phase occurs after — and lasts until —

menstruation; ovulation

During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium undergoes— as a result of estrogen stimulation

thickening

proliferation of the endometrium, which is described as the multiplication of similar forms, occurs during the proliferative phase of the endometrial cycle because the —

functional layer increases in thickness.

The proliferative phase may be divided into two phases, early and late, with the late proliferative phase often being referred to as the —

periovulatory phase

— of the endometrial cycle occurs after ovulation and is stimulated by progesterone

The secretory phase

Should fertilization not take place, menses begin on —, resulting from a lack of estrogen and progesterone

day 1 of the cycle

if fertilization does occur, the endometrial thickness is —

maintained by the continual production of progesterone by the corpus luteum of pregnancy