The phase in which the lining cells of the ovarian follicle are stimulated by luteinizing hormone to develop the corpus luteum, to produce progesterone and estrogen is?

1. A

   Menstrual phase

2. B

   Proliferative phase

3. C

   Secretory phase

4. D

   Follicular phase

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (shift-2)

Explanation

• The question describes the events of the ovarian luteal phase: LH stimulation, corpus luteum formation, and progesterone/estrogen secretion.
• The secretory phase is the uterine phase that corresponds directly to the ovarian luteal phase.
• Progesterone, secreted by the corpus luteum, is the dominant hormone of the secretory phase. It causes the endometrium to swell and develop secretory glands, preparing it for potential implantation of a fertilized ovum.
• This phase begins after ovulation and lasts until the end of the cycle (around day 15-28 in a 28-day cycle).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The menstrual phase is characterized by the shedding of the uterine lining due to a decrease in progesterone and estrogen, the opposite of what is described in the question.
• Option B: The proliferative phase is driven by high levels of estrogen from the developing ovarian follicles, not progesterone from the corpus luteum. It occurs before ovulation.
• Option D: The follicular phase is an ovarian phase, not a uterine phase. It is the period before ovulation when follicles are growing. The corpus luteum has not yet formed.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Diagram - A chart showing the 28-day menstrual cycle. It should display four graphs stacked vertically: 1) Pituitary hormones (FSH, LH), 2) Ovarian events (follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase), 3) Ovarian hormones (estrogen, progesterone), and 4) Uterine events (menstrual, proliferative, secretory phases). This visual clearly links the LH surge, corpus luteum formation, progesterone peak, and the secretory phase.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Phases of the Menstrual Cycle as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• The rise in progesterone from the corpus luteum during the secretory phase causes a slight increase (0.3–0.5°C) in a woman's basal body temperature. Nurses can educate patients on tracking this temperature change to help identify the time of ovulation for fertility planning.
• The corpus luteum is essential for establishing and maintaining early pregnancy. It continues to produce progesterone for the first 8-12 weeks until the placenta takes over this function. A failure of the corpus luteum can lead to early miscarriage.
• What if the ovum is not fertilized? The corpus luteum will degenerate after about 10-12 days. This causes a sharp drop in progesterone and estrogen, which triggers the shedding of the secretory endometrium, leading to menstruation and the start of a new cycle.

How to Approach the Question

• First, analyze the question to identify the key physiological events: LH stimulation, corpus luteum development, and progesterone production.
• Recognize that these events describe the ovarian luteal phase, which occurs after ovulation.
• Next, review the options provided. Note that they include both uterine and ovarian phases.
• The task is to find the uterine phase that is caused by the events described. Recall or deduce the relationship between the ovarian and uterine cycles.
• Match the ovarian luteal phase with its corresponding uterine phase, which is the secretory phase. Eliminate the other options based on their timing and hormonal drivers.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
• Stem keywords: ovarian follicle, luteinizing hormone, corpus luteum, progesterone, estrogen
• Lead-in keywords: The phase in which

Question ID

Q-ZuULflaDgxrREUTmmQpR

Copy ID