Chapter 19 The Menstrual Cycle
anterior pituitary gland
-The anterior segment of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for releasing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone during the menstrual cycle
endometrial polyps
Small nodules of hyperplastic endometrial tissue
adenomyosis
The benign invasion of endometrial tissue into the myometrium of the uterus
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
The hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary gland to release the hormones that regulate the female menstrual cycle
Abnormal Uterine bleeding
a change in menstrual bleeding patterns due to either endocrine abnormalities or lesions within the uterus
dysfunctional uterine bleeding
a change in menstrual bleeding patterns related to endocrine abnormalities, where hormonal imbalances result in endometrial changes and subsequent abnormal bleeding
progesterone
a hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy, maintains pregnancy and promotes development of the mammary glands; primarily produced by the ovary and placenta
Three-line sign
a periovulatory endometrial sonographic appearance in which the outer echogenic basal layer surrounds the more hypoechoic function layer, while the function layer is separated by the echogenic endometrial stripe
imperforate hymen
a vaginal anomaly in which the hymen has no opening, resulting in an obstruction of the vagina
Endometrial hyperplasia
an increase in the number of endometrial cells
periovularoty phase
another name for the late proliferative phase of the endometrial cycle, which occurs around the time of ovulation
endometrial carcinoma
cancer of the endometrium
theca internal cells
cells of the follicle that produce estrogen
secondary amenorrhea
characteristically diagnosed in the postmenarchal woman who has had at least 12 months without a menstrual cycle
spiral arteries
coiled arteries that supply blood to the functional layer of the endometrium
Atresia (ovarian follicle)
degeneration of a follicle
primary amenorrhea
failure to experiencing menarche before the age of 16
Fimbria
finger like extension of the fallopian tube located of the infundibulum
follicle
small, round groups of cells
cumulus oophorus
structure that contains the developing oocyte
corpus luteum
temporary endocrine gland that results from the rupture of the graafian follicles after ovulation
hypothalamus
the area within the brain that is located just beneath the thalamus and controls the release of hormones by the anterior pituitary gland
corpus luteum of pregnancy
the corpus luteum that is maintained during an early pregnancy for the purpose of producing estrogen and progesterone
Endometrial atrophy
the degeneration of the endometrium with advancing age; most often seen in postmenopausal women
menarche
the first menstrual cycle
proliferative phase
the first phase of the endometrial cycle
follicular phase
the first phase of the ovarian cycle
Follicular Stimulating Hormone
the hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that causes the development of multiple follicles of the ovaries
luteinizing hormone
the hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that surges around day 14 of the menstrual cycle, resulting in ovilation
human chorionic gonadotropin
the hormone produced by the trophoblastic cells of the early placenta; may also be used as a tumor marker in nongravid patients and males
Estrogen
the hormone released by the ovary during the proliferative phase that initiates the proliferation and thickening of the endometrium
proliferation
the multiplication of similar forms
graafian follicle
the name for the dominant follicle prior to ovulation
ovulation
the release of the mature egg from the ovary
corpus albicans
the remaining structure of the corpus luteum after its deterioration
secretory phase
the second phase of the endometrial cycle
luteal phase
the second phase of the ovarian cycle
blastocyst
the stage at which the conceptus implants within the decidualized endometrium
syncytiotrophoblastic cells
the trophoblastic cells surrounding the blastocyst
