Uterus
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Icarus3
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 222812577 by [[Special:Contributions/Fangusu|Fangusu]] ([[User talk:Fangusu|talk]]) unsourced claim
{{otheruses4|female reproductive anatomy|the nightclub in [[Shibuya, Tokyo]]|Womb (nightclub)}}
{{redirect|Hystera|the state of mind|Hysteria}}
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox Anatomy
| Name = Uterus
| Latin =
| GraySubject = 268
| GrayPage = 1258
| Image = Female anatomy.png
| Caption = Female internal reproductive anatomy
| Image2 = Illu female pelvis.jpg
| Caption2 = 1. [[Round ligament of uterus|Round ligament]]<BR>2. Uterus<BR>3. [[Uterine cavity]]<BR>4. [[Intestinal surface of Uterus]]<BR>5. [[Versical surface]](toward bladder)<BR>6. [[Fundus of uterus]]<BR>7. [[Body of uterus]]<BR>8. [[Palmate folds of cervical canal]]<BR>9. [[Cervical canal]]<BR>10. [[Posterior lip]]<BR>11. [[Cervical os]] (external)<BR>12. [[Isthmus of uterus]]<BR>13. [[Supravaginal portion of cervix]]<BR>14. [[Vaginal portion of cervix]]<BR>15. [[Anterior lip]]<BR>16. [[Cervix]]
| Width = 300
| Precursor = [[Müllerian duct]]
| System =
| Artery = [[ovarian artery]], [[uterine artery]], [[helicine branches of uterine artery]]
| Vein = [[uterine veins]]
| Nerve =
| Lymph = body and cervix to [[internal iliac lymph nodes]], fundus to [[superficial inguinal lymph nodes]]
| MeshName = Uterus
| MeshNumber = A05.360.319.679
}}
The '''uterus''' (from the Latin word for ''womb'') is the major [[female]] reproductive [[organ (anatomy)|organ]] of most [[mammal]]s, including [[human]]s. One end, the [[cervix]], opens into the [[vagina]]; the other is connected on both sides to the [[Fallopian tubes]]. The term ''uterus'' is commonly used within the medical and related professions, whilst ''womb'' is in more common usage. The plural of uterus is uteruses or uteri.
== Function ==
The main function of the uterus is to accept a fertilized [[ovum]] which becomes implanted into the [[endometrium]], and derives nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an [[embryo]], develops into a [[fetus]] and gestates until [[childbirth]]. Due to anatomical barriers such as the [[pelvis]], the uterus is pushed partially into the abdomen due to its expansion during pregnancy. Even during pregnancy the mass of a human uterus amounts to only about a kilogram (2.2 pounds).
== Forms in mammals ==
In mammals, the four main forms in which it is found are:
; Bipartite : Found in ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, camels, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, deer, etc.).
; Bicornuate : Found in pigs, cats, and dogs.
; Simplex : Found in humans, other primates and horses.
; Duplex : Found in rodents (such as mice, rats and guinea pigs), marsupials and lagomorpha (rabbits and hares).
== Anatomy ==
The uterus is located inside the [[pelvis]] immediately [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] (and usually somewhat [[rostral]]) to the [[urinary bladder]] and [[ventral]] to the [[rectum]]. Outside of [[pregnancy]], its size in humans is several [[centimeter]]s in diameter. The uterus is a pear shaped muscular organ which can be divided anatomically into four segments: The fundus, corpus, cervix and the [[Internal_orifice_of_the_uterus|internal os]].
=== Regions ===
From outside to inside, the path to the uterus is as follows:
* [[Vulva]]
* [[Vagina]]
* [[Cervix]] uteri - "neck of uterus"
** [[External orifice of the uterus]]
** [[Canal of the cervix]]
** [[Internal orifice of the uterus]]
* corpus uteri - "Body of uterus"
** [[Cavity of the body of the uterus]]
** [[Fundus (uterus)]]
=== Layers ===
The layers, from innermost to outermost, are as follows:
; [[Endometrium]] : The lining of the uterine cavity is called the "endometrium." In most mammals, including humans, the endometrium builds a lining periodically which, if no pregnancy occurs, is shed or reabsorbed. Shedding of the endometrial lining in humans is responsible for [[menstruation|menstrual bleeding]] (known colloquially as a woman's "period") throughout the fertile years of a female and for some time beyond. In other mammals there may be cycles set as widely apart as six months or as frequently as a few days.
; [[Myometrium]] : The uterus mostly consists of [[smooth muscle]], known as "myometrium." The innermost layer of myometrium is known as the '''junctional zone''', which becomes thickened in [[adenomyosis]].
; [[Perimetrium]] : The loose surrounding tissue is called the "perimetrium."
; [[Peritoneum]] : The uterus is surrounded by "peritoneum."
=== Support ===
The uterus is primarily supported by the [[pelvic diaphragm]] and the [[urogenital diaphragm]]. Secondarily, it is supported by ligaments and the peritoneum ([[broad ligament of uterus]]) <ref name=ucc> [http://www.ucc.ie/medsoc/1styr/resources/anatomy/The%20Pelvis.doc The Pelvis] University College Cork</ref>
==== Major ligaments ==== <!--Major ligaments of uterus redirects here-->
It is held in place by several [[peritoneum|peritoneal]] [[ligament]]s, of which the following are the most important (there are two of each):
{| class="wikitable"
! Name !! From !! To
|-
| [[uterosacral ligament]] || the posterior cervix || the sacrum of [[pelvis]]
|-
| [[cardinal ligaments]] || the side of the cervix || [[the ischial spines]]
|-
| ''pubocervical ligament'' <ref name=ucc/> || ||
|}
Other named ligaments near the uterus, i.e. the broad ligament, the round ligament, the suspensory ligament of the ovary, the infundibulopelvic ligament, have no role in the support of the uterus.
=== Position ===
Under normal circumstances the uterus is both "anteflexed" and "anteverted." The meaning of these terms are described below:
{| class="wikitable"
! Distinction !! More common !! Less common
|-
| Position tipped || "anteverted": tipped forward || "[[Retroverted uterus|retroverted]]": tipped backwards
|-
| Position of fundus || "anteflexed": the fundus is pointing forward relative to the cervix || "retroflexed": the fundus is pointing backwards
|}
== Development ==
The bilateral [[Müllerian duct]]s form during early fetal life. In males, [[anti-müllerian hormone|MIF]] secreted from the testes leads to their regression. In females these ducts give rise to the [[Fallopian tubes]] and the uterus. In humans the lower segments of the two ducts fuse to form a single uterus, however, in cases of [[uterine malformation]]s this development may be disturbed. The different uterine forms in various mammals are due to various degrees of fusion of the two Müllerian ducts.
== Pathology ==
Some [[pathology|pathological]] states include:
* [[Prolapse]] of the uterus
* [[Carcinoma of the cervix]] – malignant neoplasm
* [[Carcinoma of the uterus]] – malignant neoplasm
* [[Ectopic pregnancy]]
* [[Uterine fibroids|Fibroid]]s – benign neoplasms
* [[Adenomyosis]] – ectopic growth of endometrial tissue within the myometrium
* [[Pyometra]] – infection of the uterus, most commonly seen in [[dog]]s
* [[Uterine malformation]]
* [[Uterine Didelphys]] – split or doubled vagina/uterus
* [[Retroverted uterus]]
* [[Rokitansky syndrome]]
* [[Myoma]]
== Additional images ==
<gallery>
Image:Scheme_female_reproductive_system-en.svg|Schematic frontal view of female anatomy
Image:Illu cervix.jpg|Uterus and uterine tubes.
Image:Illu icd o codes.jpg
Image:PregnancyAnatomicalModel.jpg|Anatomical model of a human [[pregnancy]]
Image:Gray34.png|Sectional plan of the gravid uterus in the third and fourth month.
Image:Gray38.png|Fetus in utero, between fifth and sixth months.
Image:Gray589.png|Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view.
Image:Gray1161.png|Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind.
Image:Gray1165.png|Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front.
Image:Gray1166.png|Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment.
Image:Gray1167.svg|Posterior half of uterus and upper part of vagina.
Image:Gray1170.png|The arteries of the internal organs of generation of the female, seen from behind.
Image:Gray1230.png|Median sagittal section of female pelvis.
</gallery>
== References ==
<references/>
== See also ==
* [[Myometrium]]
* Egg ([[ovum]])
* [[Ovary]]
* [[Menopause]]
* [[Vulva]]
* [[Vagina]]
* [[Penis]]
* [[Uterine glands]]
== External links ==
{{wiktionary}}
* {{GraySubject|268}}
* [http://bioweb.wku.edu/courses/Biol131/images/uterus.jpg Illustration at wku.edu]
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|01|01|02}} - "The Female Pelvis: Organs in the Female Pelvis in situ"
{{Female reproductive system}}
[[Category:Organs]]
[[Category:Pelvis]]
[[Category:Female reproductive system]]
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