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.)

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.

u·ter·us di·del·'phys

double uterus with double cervix and double vagina; due to failure of the paramesonephric ducts to unite.

[G. di-, two, + delphys, womb]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

u·ter·us di·del·phys

(yū'tĕr-ŭs dī-del'fis)

Double uterus with double cervix and double vagina; due to failure of the paramesonephric ducts to unite during embryonic development.

[G. di-, two, + delphys, womb]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

According to Christopher Ng of the GynaeMD Clinic in Singapore, uterus didelphys -- the condition of having two uteruses -- is "not as rare as people think".

Bangladeshi woman has twins 26 days after 1st delivery

Uterus didelphys associated with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis: MR findings in seven cases.

Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly (OHVIRA) Syndrome

Opacification through the orifice below the cyst initially led to the filling of two oblong cavities, each continuous by a filamentous and tortuous structure suggestive of the tubal morphology, with the left being opacified right up to the distal portions and peritoneal spillage of the contrast medium, thus confirming the uterus didelphys (Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).

Urethral Duplication with a Cystic Phallic Urethra Associated with a Uterus Didelphys, Partial Agenesis of the Tibia, and an Equinovarus Foot

Caption: Figure 1: Genital malformation with uterus didelphys and right renal agenesis characteristic of the syndrome.

Diagnosis and Treatment in a Tertiary Hospital of a Series of Complex Genital Malformations Corresponding to Double Uterus with Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis

An unusual case of septate uterus with double cervix and longitudinal vaginal septum simulating uterus didelphys. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2017;6(1):303-5.

RARE CASE REPORTS OF COMPLETE UTERINE SEPTUM WITH LONGITUDINAL VAGINAL SEPTUM PRESENTING AS DIDELPHIC/UNICORNUATE UTERUS

Uterus didelphys with an obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis in teenagers: Report of three cases.

New Classification of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome

She was taken to see a doctor and the diagnosis of Uterus didelphys was confirmed.

DOUBLE MIRACLE MOTHER; EXCLUSIVE Pregnant girl tells of the moment doctor told her 'you have one-in-a-million body' Lindsay shocked to find she has 2 reproductive systems

Generally, duplication is limited to the uterus and cervix (uterus didelphys bicollis), although duplication of the vulva, bladder, urethra, vagina, and anus have been described.

How to diagnose and repair congenital uterovaginal malformations: knowing when and how these abnormalities become apparent is the first step toward correcting them

Kersey reportedly was born with uterus didelphys. All three infants were confined to the hospital for 9 weeks after birth but reportedly are thriving after their release.

Must I separate you kids again?

The condition is known as uterus didelphys - and it means each of Liliya's twins developed in their own womb.

Proud mum shows off her one-in-50-million twins, born 11 weeks apart; Liliya Konovalova, 29, from Kazakhstan, had a premature daughter when she was 25 weeks pregnant, but her son was born two months later

This syndrome is characterized by uterus didelphys with blind hemi vagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWW syndrome): a case report