At day 14 of a menstrual cycle, the LH surge begins, which causes the follicle to burst, resulting in ovulation. The LH surge is caused by a rise in estrogen, which causes the pituitary gland to release LH.

Progesterone ("pro-gestation") is responsible for the maintenance of a pregnancy. Initially, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone in preparation for pregnancy. Then, after fertilization, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released which causes the corpus luteum to keep secreting progesterone. The placenta takes over it's function after 6 weeks gestation.

As the air enters the human body when it is inhaled, it passes through the mouth (or nose) and is warmed. It then passes through the pharynx and into the cartilage-ringed trachea. From the trachea, the air can pass into either the right or left bronchi, which brings air to the right or left lung, respectively. The bronchi branch into many bronchioles and eventually into alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

The esophagus is part of the digestive system, and transports food from the mouth to the stomach.

The organs of the respiratory system are organized into the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal mucosa, the trachea, the bronchi, and the larynx. The lower respiratory tract consists of the bronchioles and alveoli.

Pre-alveolar and post-alveolar refer to the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood. Exocrine and endocrine refer to organs needed in the creation and release of hormones and secretions.

The pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi are all part of the respiratory tract.

The esophagus is part of the digestive tract, while the thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system.

The respiratory system is primarily used to transport air, while the digestive system is used to transport fluids (such as water) and solids (such as food particulates). The respiratory and the digestive systems share the region of the mouth and upper throat, where air, fluids, and solids can be mixed. This region is known as the pharynx, and is the correct answer.

The larynx is a region located below the pharynx and is the area in which the tract divides into the respiratory tract and digestive tract. Solids and liquids are transported through the esophagus and into the stomach, while air enters the trachea to be transported to the lungs via the bronchi. The epiglottis is a cartilage flap that prevents solids and liquids from entering the trachea. The vocal cords are located in the respiratory tract only.

The larynx is considered to be the "voice box" and contains the vocal cords. Speech is created by vibrations in the flaps that make up the vocal cords.

Other parts of the respiratory system include the trachea and bronchus, which both help to transport air to the lungs. The epiglottis is a flap attached to the entrance of the larynx in order to prevent foreign objects, such as food or water, from entering. The uvula hangs from the posterior edge of the middle of the soft palate.

The trachea divides into two when it enters the lungs, a process known as bifurcation. The result is the two pathways known as the prinary bronchi. The bronchi continue to branch into more and more bronchioles throughout the lungs.

The nasal mucosa helps warm incoming air. The trachea becomes thinner when it enters the lungs, as opposed to wider and thicker. Alveoli are responsible for absorbing oxygen; oxygen cannot be absorbed by neighboring capillaries in the trachea or bronchi.

The trachea bifurcates (splits in two) to create the left and right bronchi upon entering the lungs.

Bronchioles arise from the subsequent branching of the bronchi, and eventually send oxygenated air to the alveoli for gas exchange with deoxygenated blood via adjacent capillary beds. The esophagus is used to transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach, and is not involved in the respiratory system or lungs.

The larynx contains the vocal cords and conducts air from the pharynx to the trachea.

The pharynx is the region of the back of the mouth/nose and upper throat. The trachea conducts air between the larynx and the bronchi. The bronchi conduct air from the trachea to the lungs. The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage in the pharynx that covers the opening to the larynx during swallowing and directs food and liquids down the esophagus.