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womb
(redirected from womb-like)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia 0.01 sec.
womb (wm)
n.
See uterus.

womb.
See uterus.

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.

womb
uterus.

Patient discussion about womb.

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.

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.


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We liked Suzy's approach because it made sense and was based on a logical theory about recreating a womb-like environment for a baby for the first three months so they can experience a 'fourth trimester'.
 
 
 
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