Final answer:
The process of regeneration of the uterine lining is known as the proliferative phase, which is part of the menstrual cycle where estrogen causes the endometrium to grow after menstruation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of regeneration of the uterine lining is called the proliferative phase. This is the second phase of the uterine cycle following menstruation. During the proliferative phase, estrogen, which is secreted by the maturing ovarian follicles, stimulates the growth of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. The proliferative phase typically spans from day 7 to 14 of the uterine cycle, aligning with the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle where rising estrogen levels are also noted.
The increase in estrogen leads to the thickening of the stratum functionalis of the endometrium, in preparation for a potential embryo implantation. It is also during this time that the cervix secretes more copious amounts of thin mucus, facilitating sperm's passage through the cervix to the uterus, increasing the chances of fertilization. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum, responsible for secreting progesterone, degenerates—leading to a decrease in progesterone and the subsequent shedding of the endometrial lining known as menstruation, or menses.