uterus /uter·us/ (u´ter-us) pl. u´teri [L.] the hollow muscular organ in female mammals in which the blastocyst normally becomes embedded and in which the developing embryo and fetus is nourished. Its cavity opens into the vagina below and into a uterine tube on either side.
Uterus
uterus
uterus [u´ter-us] (pl. u´teri) (L.)
bicornuate uterus one with two horns, or cornua.
uterus didel´phys the existence of two distinct uteri in the same individual.
gravid uterus one containing a developing fetus.
septate uterus a uterus whose cavity is divided into two parts by a septum.
unicornuate uterus one with a single horn, or cornu.
u·ter·us (y  t r-s)n. pl. u·ter·us·es or u·ter·i (y t-r  ) A hollow muscular organ consisting of a body, fundus, isthmus, and cervix located in the pelvic cavity of female mammals, in which the fertilized egg implants and develops into the fetus. Also called metra, womb. |
Uterus
A muscular, hollow organ of the female reproductive tract. The uterus contains and nourishes the embryo and fetus from the time the fertilized egg is implanted until birth.
Mentioned in: Antihemorrhoid Drugs, Choriocarcinoma, Dysmenorrhea, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Endometrial Biopsy, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause, Oral Contraceptives, Placental Abruption, Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
uterus
[yo̅o̅′tərəs]
Etymology: L, womb
the hollow pear-shaped internal female organ of reproduction in which the fertilized ovum is implanted and the fetus develops and from which the decidua of menses flows. Its anterior surface lies on the superior surface of the bladder, separated by a fold of peritoneum, the vesicouterine pouch. Its posterior surface, also covered with peritoneum, is adjacent to the sigmoid colon and some of the coils of the small intestine. The uterus is composed of three layers: the endometrium, the myometrium, and the parametrium. The endometrium lines the uterus and becomes thicker and more vascular in pregnancy and during the second half of the menstrual cycle under the influence of the hormone progesterone. The myometrium is the muscular layer of the organ. Its muscle fibers wrap around the uterus obliquely, laterally, and longitudinally. The muscle fibers contract during childbirth to expel the fetus. After childbirth the meshlike network of fibers contracts again, creating a mass of natural ligatures that stops the flow of blood from the large blood vessels supplying the placenta. The parametrium is the outermost layer of the uterus. It is composed of serous connective tissue and extends laterally into the broad ligament. In the adult the organ measures about 7.5 cm long and 5 cm wide at its fundus and weighs approximately 40 g. During pregnancy it is able to grow to many times its usual size, almost entirely by cellular hypertrophy.
uterus [u´ter-us] (pl. u´teri) (L.)
the hollow muscular organ in female mammals in which the zygote (fertilized ovum) normally becomes embedded and in which the developing embryo and fetus is nourished; in humans it is normally about the size and shape of a pear. Called also metra and womb.
The upper part of the uterus, or fundus uteri, is broad and flattened; the middle part (body), or corpus uteri, is large and open; and the lower part, or cervix uteri, is narrow and tubular and opens downward into the vagina. Two fallopian tubes enter the uterus at the upper end, one on each side. The walls of the uterus are composed of muscle, and its lining is mucous membrane. The muscular substance of the uterus is called the myometrium, and the inner lining is called the endometrium. Between puberty and menopause, the lining goes through a monthly cycle of growth and discharge, known as the menstrual cycle. menstruation is the time in the cycle when the tissue prepared by the uterus for a possible embryo or fertilized egg is unused and passes out through the vagina.
The menstrual cycle is interrupted by pregnancy when a mature ovum is fertilized by a spermatozoon. Fertilization usually takes place in the fallopian tube; the fertilized ovum continues moving along the tube and comes to rest in the uterus, where it implants in the endometrium. The endometrium then serves to anchor the placenta, which filters nutrients from the mother's blood into the blood of the growing fetus. (See also reproduction and female reproductive organs.)
The upper part of the uterus, or fundus uteri, is broad and flattened; the middle part (body), or corpus uteri, is large and open; and the lower part, or cervix uteri, is narrow and tubular and opens downward into the vagina. Two fallopian tubes enter the uterus at the upper end, one on each side. The walls of the uterus are composed of muscle, and its lining is mucous membrane. The muscular substance of the uterus is called the myometrium, and the inner lining is called the endometrium. Between puberty and menopause, the lining goes through a monthly cycle of growth and discharge, known as the menstrual cycle. menstruation is the time in the cycle when the tissue prepared by the uterus for a possible embryo or fertilized egg is unused and passes out through the vagina.
The menstrual cycle is interrupted by pregnancy when a mature ovum is fertilized by a spermatozoon. Fertilization usually takes place in the fallopian tube; the fertilized ovum continues moving along the tube and comes to rest in the uterus, where it implants in the endometrium. The endometrium then serves to anchor the placenta, which filters nutrients from the mother's blood into the blood of the growing fetus. (See also reproduction and female reproductive organs.)
Disorders of the Uterus. The main organs of the female reproductive system, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, are connected to each other by ligaments that normally hold each in its proper place. Occasionally childbirth causes displacement of the uterus. The ligaments may stretch and weaken enough to permit the uterus to bulge into the vagina. This is called a prolapsed uterus. The uterus is also subject to cancer as well as to benign growths in the uterine wall, called leiomyomas.
Uterus and uterine tubes. From Applegate, 2000.
uterus didel´phys the existence of two distinct uteri in the same individual; called also didelphia and uterus duplex.
duplex uterus (uterus du´plex) uterus didelphys.
uterus
the hollow muscular organ in female mammals in which the fertilized ovum normally becomes embedded and in which the developing embryo and fetus is nourished. It is composed of two horns, a body and a cervix; the cervix opens caudally into the vagina. Two uterine tubes enter the uterus at the upper end, one on each side. The walls of the uterus are composed of muscle; its lining is mucous membrane. The muscular substance of the uterus is called the myometrium; the inner lining is called endometrium.
uterus didelphys, duplex uterus
complete duplication of the cervix and uterus.
uterus masculinus
see müllerian duct.
simple uterus
a uterus with a single large body, two small horns, and a single cervix as found in primates.
uterus unicornis
one horn, except usually for its apex, is completely missing because of a developmental defect.
Patient discussion about uterus.
Q. Can the fetus hear through the womb? My wife wants to play music to our baby and put earphones on her pregnant stomach so he can hear it. Can he really hear the music?
A. Yes. The fetus can hear sounds from the 18th week of the pregnancy and during the 7th month his ears start responding to the sounds that reach him through the fluids of the womb. He can hear his mother's heart beats and vowel movements. From the third trimester he can even hear the noises from the street and outside world.
Q. Is it safe to have sex with a woman with cancer of the uterus? My 45-years old wife was told she have cancer in the uterus, and will have an operation soon. Meanwhile, should we use a condom during sex? Can the tumor pass from her to me (like AIDS or HPV)?
A. unless the cancer has lots of bleeding, you don't need to use condoms.
but if your wife would undergo an operation, maybe you need to be off-of-that-sex 1-2 days prior to operation day, just to make sure there's no super infection that will bother the operation plan.
but if your wife would undergo an operation, maybe you need to be off-of-that-sex 1-2 days prior to operation day, just to make sure there's no super infection that will bother the operation plan.
Q. What Is a Hysterectomy? I am 60 year old. My doctor told me I night need to undergo a hysterectomy because I have large fibroids, that most likely not malignant, however they do cause bleeding. What exactly is a hysterectomy?
A. A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman's uterus (womb). In some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes also are removed. These organs are located in a woman’s lower abdomen. There are several types of hysterectomies:
*Complete or total. Removes the cervix as well as the uterus. (This is the most common type of hysterectomy.)
*Partial or subtotal. Removes the upper part of the uterus and leaves the cervix in place.
*Radical. Removes the uterus, the cervix, the upper part of the vagina, and supporting tissues. (This is done in some cases of cancer.)
Often one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed at the same time a hysterectomy is done. For the full article: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hysterectomy.htm
Hope this helps.
Read more or ask a question about uterus*Complete or total. Removes the cervix as well as the uterus. (This is the most common type of hysterectomy.)
*Partial or subtotal. Removes the upper part of the uterus and leaves the cervix in place.
*Radical. Removes the uterus, the cervix, the upper part of the vagina, and supporting tissues. (This is done in some cases of cancer.)
Often one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed at the same time a hysterectomy is done. For the full article: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hysterectomy.htm
Hope this helps.
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