51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Animation of the uterus and ovaries showing the changes that occur over the 28 days of the menstrual cycle. The cycle begins with menstruation (a period), during which the thick lining of the uterus is shed through the cervix and vagina. After this, rising levels of oestrogen promote redevelopment of the lining. In the ovary, fast-rising levels of luteinising hormone stimulate ovulation, the release of an ovum (egg cell, pink), at day 14, where the animation pauses. The ovum travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. If it is not fertilised it degenerates within a day or so. The remaining part of the ovum's follicle in the ovary develops into a large yellow corpus luteum, which produces large amounts of progesterone. This in turn promotes new production of oestrogen, and inhibits LH and FSH production. Without LH and FSH the corpus luteum degenerates, and falling levels of progesterone and oestrogen lead to the spiral arteries in the endometrium atrophying, and the lining is shed at the start of the next cycle