Uterus

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uterus, also called 

womb, an inverted pear-shaped muscular organ of the


female reproductive system, located between the bladder and the rectum. It functions to
nourish and house a fertilized egg until the fetus, or offspring, is ready to be delivered.

The uterus has four major regions: the fundus is the broad curved upper area in which
the fallopian tubes connect to the uterus; the body, the main part of the uterus, starts
directly below the level of the fallopian tubes and continues downward until the uterine
walls and cavity begin to narrow; the isthmus is the lower, narrow neck region; and the
lowest section, the cervix, extends downward from the isthmus until it opens into
the vagina. The uterus is 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 inches) long; its wall thickness is
approximately 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches). The width of the organ varies; it is generally
about 6 cm wide at the fundus and only half this distance at the isthmus. The uterine
cavity opens into the vaginal cavity, and the two make up what is commonly known as
the birth canal.
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Lining the uterine cavity is a moist mucous membrane known as the endometrium. The


lining changes in thickness during the menstrual cycle, being thickest during the period
of egg release from the ovaries (see ovulation). If the egg is fertilized, it attaches to the
thick endometrial wall of the uterus and begins developing. If the egg is unfertilized, the
endometrial wall sheds its outer layer of cells; the egg and excess tissue are then passed
from the body during menstrual bleeding. The endometrium also produces secretions
that help keep both the egg and the sperm cells alive. The components of the
endometrial fluid include water, iron, potassium, sodium, chloride, glucose (a sugar),
and proteins. Glucose is a nutrient to the reproductive cells, while proteins aid
with implantation of the fertilized egg. The other constituents provide a
suitable environment for the egg and sperm cells.

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