Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

The ovarian cycle consists of which two main phases?

Answer: Follicular and luteal

The ovarian cycle is divided into the follicular phase (dominant follicle matures) and the luteal phase (corpus luteum forms after ovulation).

Which hormone surge directly triggers ovulation?

Answer: Luteinizing hormone (LH)

A midcycle LH surge from the anterior pituitary triggers final follicular maturation and rupture, releasing the oocyte.

The fallopian tube is divided into which four anatomical segments from proximal to distal?

Answer: Interstitial, isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum

From uterus outward, the four segments are interstitial (within the uterine wall), isthmus (narrow), ampulla (wide, site of fertilization), and infundibulum (funnel-shaped opening with fimbriae).

The corpus luteum forms from which structure following ovulation?

Answer: Graafian (mature) follicle

After the Graafian follicle releases its oocyte, the remaining granulosa and theca cells luteinize to form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.

Which ligament directly connects the ovary to the lateral wall of the uterus?

Answer: Ovarian (utero-ovarian) ligament

The ovarian ligament (utero-ovarian ligament) runs within the broad ligament to attach the medial pole of the ovary to the uterine cornua.

Estrogen biosynthesis in the ovarian follicle primarily occurs through which cellular mechanism?

Answer: Granulosa cells aromatize theca-derived androgens into estrogen

Theca cells produce androgens (androstenedione, testosterone) under LH stimulation; granulosa cells then aromatize these androgens to estradiol under FSH stimulation (the two-cell theory).

The fimbriae are finger-like projections located at which segment of the fallopian tube?

Answer: Infundibulum

The infundibulum is the distal funnel-shaped end of the fallopian tube; its fimbriae sweep over the ovary to capture the released oocyte at ovulation.