A&P Ch. 19-20: Reproduction & Fetal Development PART 2

FSH

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; hormone release by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

estrogen

Steroid hormones released as the follicle cells enlarge and multiply. Functions: 1. stimulating bone and muscle growth 2. establishing and maintaining female secondary sex characteristics, such as the distributions of body hair and adipose tissue deposits 3. affecting central nervous system activity 4. maintaining functional accessory reproductive glands and organs 5. initiating the repair and growth of the endometrium

menarche

the first uterine cycle occurs with the ____, or first menstrual period at puberty, typically ages 11-12

progesterone

the principal hormone of the luteal phase, prepares the uterus for pregnancy by stimulating the growth and development of the blood supply and secretory glands of the endometrium.

secretory phase

third phase of menstrual cycle, in which the uterine glands enlarge, increasing their rates of secretion as the endometrium prepares for the arrival of a developing embryo. This activity is stimulated by progestins and estrogens from the corpus luteum. This phase begins at ovulation and persists as long as the corpus luteum remains intact. Secretory activities peak about 12 days after ovulation.

Luteal Phase

14 day phase of the ovarian cycle begins at ovulation. The empty follicle collapses, and the remaining follicular cells invade the resulting cavity and multiply to create an endocrine structure, corpus luteum. The corpus luteum releases progesterone, the main hormone of the luteal phase. The disintegration of the corpus luteum marks the end of an ovarian cycle.

Menses

The menstrual cycle begins with the onset of ___, a period marked by the degeneration of the functional zone of the endometrium. This process is triggered by a decline in progesterone and estrogen levels as the corpus luteum disintegrates. In the end, menstruation occurs

menopause

The menstrual cycle continues until ages 45-55 when ____, the last menstrual cycle occurs.

follicular phase

also the preovulatory phase of ovarian cycle. At the start of each ovarian cycle, an ovary contains only a few secondary follicles destined for further development. Stimulated by FSH, that follicle forms a tertiary follicle. The tertiary follicle is formed by days 10-14 of the ovarian cycle. Its large size creates a prominent bulge in the surface of the ovary. The oocyte and its covering of follicular cells projects into the expanded central chamber of the follicle.

hypothalamus

place where estrogens increase sexual drive

proliferative phase

second phase of menstrual cycle. Begins in the days following the completion of menses as the surviving epithelial cells multiply and spread across the surface of the endometrium. This repair process is stimulated by rising estrogen levels that accompany the growth of another set of ovarian follicles.