The Menstrual Cycle and Reproductive Hormones

Vocabulary flashcards covering the phases, hormones, and physiological processes of the human menstrual cycle as described in the lecture notes.

Menopause

A stage of sexual development, occurring at 45 to 50 years of age, when females stop their menstrual cycles.

Menstrual Cycle

A cycle of about 28 days during which a woman experiences ovulation and menstruation, one after the other.

Ovulation

The release of an ovum from the ovary, occurring approximately 14 days after menstruation.

Menstruation

The shedding of the uterus lining together with some blood through the vagina when an ovum does not get fertilized, typically lasting three to five days.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that causes ripening of the eggs in the ovaries by stimulating the development of Graafian follicles.

Oestrogen

A hormone secreted by the Graafian follicle that builds up the lining of the uterus, inhibits FSH, and stimulates the secretion of LH.

Luteinising Hormone (LH)

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum (yellow body).

Progesterone

A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum that maintains the growth of the uterus lining and increases blood supply for potential implantation.

Corpus Luteum

A structure known as a yellow body formed from the remains of the Graafian follicle; it degenerates if no fertilization occurs, leading to a drop in progesterone.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus upon which the hormones oestrogen and progesterone act.

Graafian follicles

Structures in the ovaries that develop around eggs, stimulated by FSH and responsible for secreting oestrogen.