Uterus

Uterus Definition The uterus, otherwise known as the womb, is the female sex organ that carries a huge significance in many species’ survival – ours included. The uterus itself is a hollow organ that is shaped in the form of a pear, and interestingly enough measures about that size. It is neatly tucked into the pelvic area of most mammals and, of course, in humans. It is important to dissect the anatomy of the human uterus. In the female body, the upper end of the uterus, called the fundus, will join the fallopian tubes at either side while the lower end will open into the vagina. The wide portion at the top of the uterus is called the fundus, and will be the superior-most region that will host a fertilized embryo as it grows into a baby. A little below the fundus lies the muscular corpus region. The corpus, in turn, is composed of three tissue layers. Post-pubescent women will have an innermost endometrium, which is the layer of muscle that is shed when the menstrual cycle commences in non-pregnant women. The endometrial tissue will thicken as the month’s cycle goes by in preparation for a fertilized egg to implant itself there. But in the absence of a fertilized egg, this layer will simply be shed away in what we know as menstruation. The middle muscle layer is called the myometrium, and is the layer that will expand during pregnancy and contract during childbirth. The outermost layer, the parametrium, will likewise expand and contract at these stages. Expanding will all...

Ed Reschke / Getty Images Endometrial Lining Function The main function of the endometrial lining is during a woman's reproductive years. This inner lining of the uterus begins to thicken to prepare for an embryo to implant, or for pregnancy to occur. If pregnancy occurs, the lining helps to maintain the pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining sheds (you get your period), and the process begins again for the following cycle. The endometrial lining is located in the innermost layer of the uterus, a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. During Menstruation When you do not become pregnant after ovulation, the estrogen and progesterone levels in your body drop rapidly, which initiates the start of your menstrual cycle. At the start of your menstrual cycle, your body discards the buildup of your endometrial lining, a mix of blood and tissues, which passes through the cervix and exits your body through the vagina. This process can take several days and is most often referred to as your period. Some people may have health conditions that affect the endometrial lining. Different types of therapies, such as Around Menopause Menopause is the period of time 12 consecutive months after a woman's last menstrual cycle. This can occur with age (typically between ages 45 and 55), or be triggered by a Is There a “Normal” Endometrial Thickness? "Normal" endometrial thickness varies from person to person, as well as throughout the person's lifecycle. What is normal for an...

The second layer is dynamic, however. It changes in response to the monthly flux of hormones that guide the menstrual cycle. For this reason, it's called the stratum functionalis, or functional layer. It's the part of the endometrium where a fertilized egg (or blastocyst) will implant if conception takes place. Menstrual flow is made up of the cells that slough away from the functional layer of the endometrial lining, mixed with blood from the little blood vessels that surrounded the uterine glands. Keep in mind that those too young to have gotten their periods yet and adults who've gone through menopause will not experience these changes. Their endometrial linings will stay relatively thin and stable. Conditions That Affect the Endometrium Most of the time, the ebb and flow of the endometrial lining follow a fairly predictable rhythm—as you well know if you're a person who menstruates. However, this can be altered by abnormalities of the endometrial lining. Here are the most common ones women may experience. According to the American Cancer Society, when If your periods change dramatically (they become heavier or last longer, for example) or you have bleeding between periods or after you go through menopause, see your healthcare provider. There are less serious causes for these symptoms, but it's better to err on the side of caution. A thickened endometrium doesn't indicate cancer, but it is a cancer risk factor in postmenopausal women. An endometrial lining of more than ...

The female reproductive organs include several key structures, such as the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva. These organs are involved in fertility, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth. The reproductive organs also have a significant influence on other aspects of health. For example, the ovaries create hormones that In this article, we will look at the anatomy of the female reproductive organs in detail, including what they do and how they work. Share on Pinterest Design by Diego Sabogal The female reproductive system is a group of organs that work together to enable reproduction, pregnancy, and childbirth. It also produces female sex hormones, including estrogen and The system consists of organs and tissues inside the body and some that are visible outside the body. The internal organs include: • ovaries • fallopian tubes • uterus • cervix • vagina Another organ, the clitoris, extends both inside and outside the body. The external area surrounding the vagina is the vulva. Not everyone who is assigned female at birth has all of these organs. Sometimes, people are born without some parts or with a mixture of female and male characteristics. This is known as Some people also undergo procedures to remove some parts of the reproductive system. Some of these procedures take place for medical reasons, while others are the result of harmful cultural practices, such as Most females have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. They are about the shape and size of an almond...

Synonyms: Metra The uterus, also known as the womb, is an about 8 cm long hollow muscular organ in the female Also, as an organ of the female reproductive system it is responsible for the development of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy. This article will describe the anatomy, histology, and functions of the uterus, as well as shed some light on the basics of the menstrual cycle. Key facts about the uterus Parts Cervix, isthmus, corpus, fundus (base) Position and orientation Anteflexion and anteversion Peritoneal recesses Vesicouterine and rectouterine pouches Blood supply Uterine arteries Venous drainage Uterine venous plexus that flows into the internal iliac vein Innervation Inferior hypogastric plexus Lymphatics iliac (external and internal), obturator, and para-aortic lymph nodes Histology Phases: proliferative and secretory Layers: endometrium (functional and basal layers), myometrium (subvascular, vascular, supravascular layers), perimetrium Embryology The uterus develops from the paranemesophrenic (Müllerian) ducts, which are the primordial fetal structures of the female reprodutive tract. More specifically, the uterovaginal primordium is formed by the fusion of the caudal, vertical parts of the paranemesophrenic ducts. This primordium will give rise to the lower part of the uterus that will slowly enlarge during development, ultimately resulting in the fundus and body of the uterus in the adult female. One can begin to see clear signs of the uterine body at...

• • An umbrella term for cancers that develop inside the uterus • • Symptoms include unusual bleeding or discharge and pain in the pelvis or during sex or urination • • Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy • • Involves obstetrics, gynecology & reproductive services, gynecologic oncology program, gynecologic radiotherapy While a diagnosis of uterine cancer can be scary, it is important to know that its most common form—endometrial cancer—is curable, especially if it is caught at an early stage. Uterine cancer is a blanket term for According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an estimated 66,570 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2021, accounting for 3.5% of all cancer cases in the U.S. It is the most common type of gynecologic cancer and most frequently occurs in women over the age of 45, though it can affect younger women. Fortunately, uterine cancer is treatable. Surgery is the most common treatment, but radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and several other therapies may also be used. Risk factors for uterine cancer include the following: • Age (older women are at higher risk) • Hormone replacement therapy that contains only estrogen after menopause • Tamoxifen (often used to prevent or treat • Obesity • • Previous radiation therapy in the pelvic region • Increased exposure of endometrium to estrogen (may be due to several factors including starting menstruation at an early age, never g...

Synonyms: Metra Before diving straight into the deep end to understand the so-called ligaments of the uterus, it is important to firstly have a basic idea of this fascinating organ called the uterus. Just like prior to doing/learning any task or skill, one must first learn to walk before he or she can run. The uterus is a hollow organ situated in the midline within the lesser Key facts about the ligaments of the uterus Function Hold uterus in place and enclose nerves, vessels and parts of the uterus Types Peritoneal folds (duplicatures of peritoneum that attach to the body of uterus): broad ligament, uterovesical fold, rectovaginal fold True ligaments (fibrous structures that attach to the cervix): round, pubocervical, transverse cervical, uterosacral ligaments Peritoneal folds Broad ligament - extends from the sides of uterus to the lateral walls and floor of pelvis; made of mesosalpinx (encloses uterine tube), mesoovarium (carries ovarian vessels and nerves), mesometrium (contains part of transverse cervical ligament) Uterovesical fold - extends from the junction of uterine body and cervix to the bladder; creates uterovesical pouch Rectovaginal fold - extends from the posterior vaginal fornix to the rectum; creates rectouterine poch (of Douglas) True ligaments Round ligament - extends from the lateral cornu of uterus through broad ligament to the connective tissue of labium majus; contains neurovasculature and lymphatic vessels from the uterus Transverse cervical li...

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