What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

• A. Follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.
• B. Proliferative, secretory, ischemic, and menstrual phases.
• C. Ovulation, menstrual, and ischemic phases.
• D. Follicular, secretory, and ischemic phases.

Answer: (A)

The ovarian cycle has three phases driven by follicle development and Hormone fluctuations: the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. In the follicular phase, FSH stimulates several follicles to grow, estrogen rises as the follicles mature, and the dominant follicle prepares for release. Ovulation is the mid-cycle event where a surge of LH triggers the release of the egg from the dominant follicle. The luteal phase follows, with the remaining follicular cells forming the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone (and some estrogen) to support possible implantation. If fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum regresses, hormone levels fall, and the cycle restarts with menstruation.

Others describe phases tied to the endometrium rather than the ovary—proliferative and secretory refer to the lining’s response to hormones, menstrual is shedding, and ischemic isn’t a standard ovarian-cycle phase.