Nokea
A young female patient comes to the health unit at school to discuss her irregular periods. In providing education regardinNg thRe feImalGe reBpr.odCuctMive cycle, the nurse describes the regular U S N T O and recurrent changes related to the ovaries and the uterine endometrium. Although this is generally referred to as the menstrual cycle, the ovarian cycle includes which phases? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Follicular phase. The ovarian cycle consists of two main phases: the follicular phase and the luteal phase. During the follicular phase, the ovarian follicles mature in preparation for ovulation. This phase is characterized by rising levels of estrogen. The luteal phase follows ovulation and is characterized by the formation of the corpus luteum and increased progesterone levels to support a potential pregnancy. The ovulatory phase is not a distinct phase of the ovarian cycle but rather the event of ovulation itself. Proliferative phase is a term used to describe changes in the uterine endometrium, not the ovarian cycle. Therefore, the correct answer is A, as it accurately reflects the phases of the ovarian cycle.