Menstrual cycle & phases
how much does a menstrual cycle last?
around 28 days
Which hormone causes an egg to develop in the ovary?
ollicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
What triggers the release of a mature egg from the ovary (ovulation)?
A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH).
Where does fertilization usually take place in the female body?
In the fallopian tube.
What is the name of the structure that forms from the zygote before implantation?
Blastocyst.
What happens to the lining of the uterus during menstruation?
It breaks down and is released as blood if there is no pregnancy..
What event is triggered by the peak of Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?
Ovulation – the release of a mature egg.
What structures capture the egg after it is released into the abdominal cavity?
Fimbriae, the finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes.
What happens during fertilization?
The sperm and egg join, and their genetic material combines.
Where does implantation take place in the female body?
In the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
What is the name of the phase when the egg is released from the ovary?
Ovulation.
What happens to the follicle after ovulation?
It becomes the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.
What two mechanisms help move the egg through the fallopian tube toward the uterus?
Ciliary action (tiny hair-like structures) and rhythmic muscle contractions.
What is the name of the first cell formed after fertilization?
Zygote.
When does implantation usually occur after fertilization?
Between 6 to 10 days after fertilization.
What hormone is produced during the luteal phase to help maintain the uterine lining?
Progesterone.
Which hormone rises just after ovulation and helps maintain the uterine lining?
Progesterone.
Where in the fallopian tube does fertilization usually take place?
In the ampulla, the widest section of the fallopian tube.
What does the zygote contain from both parents?
A complete set of genetic information (DNA), half from each parent.
What hormone is produced after implantation and is detected by pregnancy tests?
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Why are days 10 to 15 of a 28-day cycle considered the "fertile window"?
Because ovulation usually happens around day 14, and sperm can live in the body for about five days, making pregnancy most likely during this time.
What causes menstruation to begin if the egg is not fertilized?
A drop in progesterone levels, which causes the uterine lining to break down.
What hormonal changes support the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus, and what structure does the egg embed into?
Progesterone helps thicken the uterine lining (endometrium), where the blastocyst implants.
What happens to the zygote after fertilization as it travels to the uterus?
It begins to divide and multiply, preparing for implantation in the uterine lining.
What happens to the menstrual cycle if implantation is successful?
The cycle stops, menstruation does not occur, and the pregnancy begins as the body maintains the uterine lining.