The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called the womb.
The hollow organ in a woman’s pelvic cavity, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum in which the embryo develops before birth.
Womb; vessel that houses the embryo and developing fetus.
A muscular, hollow organ in a woman’s lower abdomen, above and behind the bladder, shaped roughly like an upside-down pear, with the fallopian tubes lying above and to the right and left. On the bottom of the uterus, the cervix, actually the neck of the uterus, leads into the vagina. The uterus is the center of the reproductive system; here the fertilized egg implants itself to grow as a fetus. And here the monthly menstrual cycle centers, with the uterus lining (the endometrium) gradually growing in preparation for a fertilized egg and being shed in a menstrual period if none appears. In infant girls, the uterus is tipped backward (retroverted); but as a female matures, the uterus normally becomes tipped forward about a quarter-turn from the vagina. Usually weighing only a few ounces, the uterus grows dramatically during pregnancy, some of the growth coming as the endometrium grows thick and develops more blood vessels to supply the fetus through the placenta and some coming from development of powerful muscles that will, during childbirth, push the baby through the birth canal (the widened cervix and vagina).
That part of the female reproductive system specialized to allow the implantation, growth, and nourishment of a fetus during pregnancy. The nonpregnant uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ, about 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long, suspended in the pelvic cavity by ligaments. Its upper end is connected to the fallopian tubes, its lower end narrows into a neck, or cervix, that opens into the vagina. The uterus has an inner mucus layer, the endometrium, which undergoes cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle and helps form the placenta in pregnancy; a muscular layer, the myometrium, contractions of which expel the fetus during labor and childbirth; and an outer connective tissue, the parametrium, that extends into the broad ligament.
Hollow muscular organ of the female reproductive tract where a fertilized ovum implants and develops into a fetus.
A hollow, muscular organ of the female reproductive system, located in the center of the pelvis. The wall of the uterus is lined with tissue (called the endometrium) that builds up and sheds during each menstrual cycle. For pregnancy to occur, a fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus and develops into a fetus. The uterus is very elastic, able to expand to many times its original size during pregnancy.
The part of the female reproductive tract that is specialized to allow the embryo to become implanted in its inner wall and to nourish the growing fetus from the maternal blood. The nonpregnant uterus is a pear-shaped organ, about 7.5 cm long. It is suspended in the pelvic cavity by means of peritoneal folds (ligaments) and fibrous bands. The upper part is connected to the two fallopian tubes and the lower part joins the vagina at the cervix. The uterus has an inner mucus lining (endometrium) and a thick wall of smooth muscle (myometrium). During labor the myometrium undergoes strong contractions to expel the fetus through the cervix and vagina. In the absence of pregnancy the endometrium undergoes periodic development and degeneration.
A hollow, triangular organ, flattened from front to back, the lower angle (or cervix) communicates through a narrow opening (the os uteri) with the vagina. The uterus or womb is where the fertilized ovum (egg) normally becomes embedded and in which the embryo and fetus develop. The normal uterus weighs 30—40 g; during pregnancy, however, enormous growth occurs together with muscular thickening. The cavity is lined by a thick, soft, mucous membrane, and the wall is chiefly composed of muscle fibres arranged in three layers. The outer surface, like that of other abdominal organs, is covered by a layer of peritoneum. The uterus has a copious supply of blood derived from the uterine and ovarian arteries. It has also many lymphatic vessels, and its nerves establish wide connections with other organs. The position of the uterus is in the centre of the pelvis, where it is suspended by several ligaments between the urinary bladder in front and the rectum behind. On each side of the uterus are the broad ligaments passing outwards to the sides of the pelvis, the utero-sacral ligament passing back to the sacral bone, the utero-vesical ligament passing forwards to the bladder, and the round ligament uniting the uterus to the front of the abdomen.
A reproductive organ for containing and nourishing the embryo and fetus from the time the fertilized egg is implanted to the time the fetus is born.
The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called the womb.
A hollow, muscular organ located between the ovaries and behind the urinary bladder, in which a fertilized egg grows and develops.
The uterus, a vital component of the female reproductive system, is a muscular and hollow organ. It serves as a protective abode and a source of nourishment for the developing embryo and fetus, starting from the moment of implantation of the fertilized egg and continuing until the moment of birth.
The uterus, also referred to as the womb, is a hollow and muscular organ within the female reproductive system. It is where the fertilized egg (ovum) typically implants and where the developing unborn baby grows. Positioned in the pelvic cavity, it rests behind the bladder and in front of the intestines.
In a woman who is not pregnant, the uterus measures around 7.5–10 cm in length and has a weight ranging from 60 to 90 grams. The cervix, located at the lower part of the uterus, connects to the vagina, while the upper part of the uterus connects to the fallopian tubes.
The inner lining of the uterus is known as the endometrium. Throughout the menstrual cycle, the endometrium undergoes a process of thickening in anticipation of potential implantation of a fertilized egg. In the absence of fertilization and conception, the levels of certain hormones decrease, leading to the shedding of the endometrial lining from the uterus. Following menopause, which marks the cessation of egg production and menstruation, the endometrium gradually becomes thinner through a process of atrophy, accompanied by a reduction in muscle and connective tissue.
During pregnancy, the uterus undergoes an enlargement to provide space for the developing fetus. When reaching full term, the strong muscles of the uterus work to push the baby out through the birth canal.
The uterus can be impacted by various conditions. These include congenital disorders like uterine malformation or absence, duplex uterus, and septate uterus. Additionally, tumors such as polyps, fibroids, and endometrial cancer can affect the uterus. Infections can also lead to inflammation of the uterine lining, and hormonal imbalances are another category of disorders that can influence the uterus.