uterus
Also known as: womb
synthesized from dimensionsThe uterus, also known as the womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ that serves as a central component of the female reproductive system hollow muscular organ in pelvis, inverted pear-shaped organ. Located in the pelvic cavity, it is positioned in the midline between the urinary bladder and the rectum, typically resting in a state of anteversion and anteflexion. In nonpregnant, nulliparous individuals, the organ weighs approximately 40–50 grams average weight 40-50g.
Anatomically, the uterus is divided into three primary regions: the corpus (which includes the fundus and the main uterine cavity), the isthmus, and the cervix divided into three parts. The corpus is the larger portion capable of significant expansion during pregnancy corpus larger portion, while the cervix acts as a narrow, cylindrical gateway connecting the uterus to the vagina cervix lowest part of uterus. This cervical canal facilitates the passage of sperm, menstrual blood, and the fetus during childbirth cervix role (Medscape).
The organ is stabilized within the pelvis by a complex system of ligaments, including the broad, round, ovarian, cardinal, uterosacral, and pubocervical ligaments supported by peritoneal ligaments, three suspensory ligaments. Its vascular supply is primarily provided by the uterine arteries, which branch from the internal iliac arteries, with venous drainage returning through the uterine plexus primary arterial supply, uterine arteries veins. Innervation is managed by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, including the inferior hypogastric plexus innervation from hypogastric.
Functionally, the uterus is the site of blastocyst implantation and fetal development blastocyst implantation (Wikipedia). It provides mechanical protection, nutrition, and waste removal for the developing embryo muscular contractions for birth. To prepare for potential pregnancy, the endometrium—the uterus's inner mucous membrane—undergoes a monthly cycle consisting of the menses, proliferative, and secretory phases three phases menses proliferative secretory.
During the proliferative phase, estrogen levels cause the endometrium to thicken and rebuild oestrogen rebuilds lining. Subsequently, in the secretory phase, progesterone from the corpus luteum further prepares the lining by developing blood vessels and creating a vascular bed suitable for implantation luteal progesterone. If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the endometrial lining is shed during menstruation, a process accompanied by uterine contractions that may cause cramping endometrium shed, cramps from contracting. This cyclical activity begins at puberty and ceases at menopause menopause effects on uterus.