Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,917,556,974 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

menstrual cycle

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
cycle /cy·cle/ (si´k'l) a succession or recurring series of events.
carbon cycle  the steps by which carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) is extracted from the atmosphere by living organisms and ultimately returned to the atmosphere. It comprises a series of interconversions of carbon compounds beginning with the production of carbohydrates by plants during photosynthesis, proceeding through animal consumption, and ending and beginning again in the decomposition of the animal or plant or in the exhalation of carbon dioxide by animals.
cardiac cycle  a complete cardiac movement, or heart beat, including systole, diastole, and intervening pause.
Enlarge picture
Events of the cardiac cycle.
cell cycle  the cycle of biochemical and morphological events occurring in a reproducing cell population; it consists of: the S phase, occurring toward the end of interphase, in which DNA is synthesized; the G2 phase, a relatively quiescent period; the M phase, consisting of the four phases of mitosis; and the G1 phase of interphase, which lasts until the S phase of the next cycle.
citric acid cycle  tricarboxylic acid c.
Cori cycle  the mechanism by which lactate produced by muscles is carried to the liver, converted back to glucose via gluconeogenesis, and returned to the muscles.
γ-glutamyl cycle  a metabolic cycle for transporting amino acids into cells.
hair cycle  the phases of the life of a hair, consisting of anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Krebs cycle  tricarboxylic acid c.
Krebs-Henseleit cycle  urea c.
menstrual cycle  the period of the regularly recurring physiologic changes in the endometrium, occurring during the reproductive period of female humans, culminating in partial shedding of the endometrium and some bleeding per vagina (menstruating).
Enlarge picture
Changes in the menstrual cycle in the human female. Solid lines indicate the course of events when the oocyte is not fertilized; dotted lines indicate the course of events when fertilization occurs. Arrows indicate the actions of hormones of the pituitary and the ovary in regulating the cycle.
mosquito cycle  that period in the life of a malarial parasite that is spent in the body of the mosquito host.
nitrogen cycle  the steps by which nitrogen is extracted from the nitrates of soil and water, incorporated as amino acids and proteins in living organisms, and ultimately reconverted to nitrates: (1) conversion of nitrogen to nitrates by bacteria; (2) the extraction of the nitrates by plants and the building of amino acids and proteins by adding an amino group to the carbon compounds produced in photosynthesis; (3) the ingestion of plants by animals, and (4) the return of nitrogen to the soil in animal excretions or on the death and decomposition of plants and animals.
ornithine cycle  urea c.
ovarian cycle  the sequence of physiologic changes in the ovary involved in ovulation.
reproductive cycle  the cycle of physiologic changes in the female reproductive organs, from the time of fertilization of the oocyte through gestation and parturition.
sex cycle , sexual cycle
1. the physiologic changes recurring regularly in the genital organs of nonpregnant female mammals; in humans, the menstrual cycle.
2. the period of sexual reproduction in an organism that also reproduces asexually.
tricarboxylic acid cycle  the final common pathway for the oxidation to CO2 of fuel molecules, most of which enter as acetyl coenzyme A; it also provides intermediates for biosynthetic reactions and generates ATP by providing electrons to the electron transport chain.
Enlarge picture
Tricarboxylic acid cycle. Diagrammatic representation of reactions by which carbon chains of sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids are metabolized to yield carbon dioxide. Water produced by the cycle and components of the high-energy phosphate pool generated by the associated electron chain are not shown.
urea cycle  a series of metabolic reactions in the liver, by which ammonia is converted to urea using cyclically regenerated ornithine as a carrier.
Enlarge picture
Urea cycle. Diagrammatic representation of reactions by which excess nitrogen in the form of ammonia is converted to soluble urea, using l-ornithine as a recyclable carrier.
uterine cycle  the phenomena occurring in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle, preparing it for implantation of the blastocyst.
visual cycle  the cyclic interconversion of 11-cis- retinal and all-trans- retinal and association with opsins, creating an electric potential and initiating the cascade generating a sensory nerve impulse in vision.
Enlarge picture
Visual cycle of retinal rod cells; an analogous cycle occurs with iodopsins in the cones.

menstrual cycle
n.
The recurring cycle of physiological changes in the uterus, ovaries, and other sexual structures that occur from the beginning of one menstrual period through the beginning of the next.

Menstrual cycle
A hormonally regulated series of monthly events that occur during the reproductive years of the human female to ensure that the proper internal environment exists for fertilization, implantation, and development of a baby. Each month, a mature egg is released from the follicle of an ovary. If an egg is released, fertilized, and implanted, the lining of the uterus continues to build. If fertilization and/or implantation does not occur, the egg and all of the excess uterine lining are shed from the body during menstruation.

menstrual cycle,
the recurring cycle of change in the endometrium during which the decidual layer of the endometrium is shed, then regrows, proliferates, is maintained for several days, and is shed again at menstruation. The average length of the cycle, from the first day of bleeding of one cycle to the first of another, is 28 days. The duration and character vary greatly among women. Menstrual cycles begin at menarche and end with menopause. The uterine phases of the cycle are the menstrual phase, proliferative phase, and secretory phase. See also oogenesis.

cycle [si´k'l]
a succession or recurring series of events.
cardiac cycle a complete cardiac movement, or heart beat, including systole, diastole, and the intervening pause.
Cardiac cycle. From Applegate, 2000.
cell cycle the cycle of biochemical and morphological events occurring in a reproducing cell population; it consists of the S phase, occurring toward the end of interphase, in which DNA is synthesized; the G2 phase, a relatively quiescent period; the M phase, consisting of the four phases of mitosis; and the G1 phase of interphase, which lasts until the S phase of the next cycle.
citric acid cycle tricarboxylic acid cycle.
estrous cycle the recurring periods of estrus in adult females of most mammalian species and the correlated changes in the reproductive tract from one period to another.
hair cycle the successive phases of the production and then loss of hair, consisting of anagen, catagen, and telogen.
menstrual cycle see menstrual cycle.
ovarian cycle the sequence of physiologic changes in the ovary involved in ovulation; see also ovulation and reproduction.
reproductive cycle the cycle of physiologic changes in the reproductive organs, from the time of fertilization of the ovum through gestation and childbirth; see also reproduction.
sex cycle (sexual cycle)
1. the physiologic changes that recur regularly in the reproductive organs of nonpregnant female mammals.
2. the period of sexual reproduction in an organism that also reproduces asexually.
tricarboxylic acid cycle the cyclic metabolic mechanism by which the complete oxidation of the acetyl portion of acetyl-coenzyme A is effected; the process is the chief source of mammalian energy, during which carbon chains of sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids are metabolized to yield carbon dioxide, water, and high-energy phosphate bonds. Called also citric acid cycle, Krebs cycle, and TCA cycle.
 Central pathways of metabolism: How the body produces energy from the energy-containing nutrients using the tricarboxylic acid cycle. From Davis and Sherer, 1994.
urea cycle a cyclic series of reactions that produce urea; it is a major route for removal of the ammonia produced in the metabolism of amino acids in the liver and kidney.

menstrual [men´stroo-al]
pertaining to menstruation.
menstrual cycle the regularly recurring physiologic changes in the endometrium that culminate in its shedding (menstruation). Menstrual cycles vary in length, with the average being about 28 days. The length of time of menstrual flow is also variable, with an average of about 5 days. Women menstruate from puberty to menopause, except during pregnancy. The first 14 days of the cycle are called the follicular phase; a follicle containing an ovum is developing in one of the ovaries. It begins as the menstrual flow ceases; the lining of the uterus is stimulated by estrogen and begins to increase in thickness to prepare for the possibility of reproduction. On the twelfth or thirteenth day of the cycle, the ovulatory phase begins with a surge in levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone; ovulation then takes place and the ovary discharges the ovum. The ruptured follicle is transformed into a yellowish material called the corpus luteum; the luteal phase begins as the corpus luteum secretes progesterone. Progesterone acts on the endometrium, building up tissues with an enriched supply of blood to nourish the future embryo. If fertilization and conception do not take place, the estrogen level in the blood falls, the endometrium is no longer stimulated, and the uterus again becomes thinner. Blood circulation slows, blood vessels contract, and the menstrual phase begins; unused tissue breaks down into the bloody discharge known as menstruation. The cycle then starts again.
Average 28-day menstrual cycle. The cycle begins when hormones from the pituitary gland stimulate the development of an egg in a follicle inside one of the ovaries. About the fourteenth day, ovulation occurs: The follicle bursts, and the egg is discharged from the ovary. If the egg is not fertilized, the cycle ends in menstruation on the twenty-eighth day. If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy begins.

menstrual cycle,
n a recurring cycle of change in the endometrium during which the decidual layer of the endometrium is shed, then regrows, proliferates, is maintained for several days, and is shed again at menstruation. The average length of the cycle is 28 days.

Patient discussion about menstrual cycle.

Q. can you get poly-cystic ovarian syndrome when you still have your menstrual cycle?

A. polycystic ovarian syndrome is when the egg does not come out- so i guess there is no menstrual that month. but as far as i know it's not every month that an egg decides to stay at home after 18... i guess you can check up more exact at this site:
http://www.pcosupport.org/

Q. is it normal to get a nausous feeling around the time i would start my menstrual cycle?

A. Yes, it is absolutely normal to feel nausea before and during menstrual cycle. The shift in hormonal levels can cause also headaches, mood changes, feeling of bloating and other common symptoms.

Read more or ask a question about menstrual cycle


Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
Add definition
Mentioned in?  References in periodicals archive?   Medical browser?   Full browser?
 
Byline: ANI Washington, Nov 21 (ANI): A simple blood test corresponding to the follicular phase (days 3-14) of a normal menstrual cycle could reduce repeated breast MRI scans in premenopausal women with irregular periods, according to a study.
A woman''s menstrual cycle is nature''s psychological and biological navigational map that is designed to guide and instruct her on how to improve her life and maximize her full potential.
Ovarian cysts are a common phenomenon in the menstrual cycle of the body, but many a times complications may arise Of the many complications one is multiple ovarian cysts Ovarian cysts are a common phenomenon in the menstrual cycle of the body, but many a times complications may arise.
 
 
 
Medical Dictionary
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Advertise with Us | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.