uterus didelphys


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" >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]

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]

uterus

(ut'e-rus) [L. uterus, womb] UTERUS: Uterus and its ligaments seen laparoscopically (×1/3)The reproductive organ for containing and nourishing the embryo and fetus from the time the fertilized egg is implanted to when the fetus is born. Synonym: womb See: illustration; genitalia, female for illus.

Anatomy

The uterus is a muscular, hollow, pear-shaped organ situated in the midpelvis between the sacrum and the pubic symphysis. Before child-bearing, it is about 3 in. (7.5 cm) long, 2 in. (5 cm) wide, and 1 in. ( 2.5 cm) thick. Its upper surface is covered by the perimetrium, and it is supported by the pelvic diaphragm supplemented by the two broad ligaments, two round ligaments, and two uterosacral ligaments. It is usually tilted forward over the top of the urinary bladder. The upper portion of the uterus, between the openings of the fallopian tubes, is the fundus; the large central portion is the body; and the narrow lower end is the cervix, which projects into the vagina. The cavity of the uterus is widest in the fundus. The canal of the cervix is narrow, opens into the uterine cavity at the internal os, and into the vagina at the external os.

The wall of the uterus consists of the outer perimetrium, middle myometrium, and inner endometrium. The uterine and ovarian arteries supply blood to the uterus.

Positions

Anteflexion: The uterus bends forward. Anteversion: The fundus is displaced forward toward the pubis, while the cervix is tilted up toward the sacrum. Retroflexion: The uterus bends backward at the junction of the body and the cervix. Retroversion: The uterus inclines backward with retention of the normal curve; this position is the opposite of anteversion.

See: hysterectomy; pregnancy

uterus acollis

A uterus without a cervix.

uterus arcuatus

A uterus with a depressed arched fundus.

uterus bicornis

A uterus in which the fundus is divided into two parts.

uterus biforis

A uterus in which the external os is divided into two parts by a septum.

uterus bilocularis

A uterus in which the cavity is divided into two parts by a partition.

bipartite uterus

A uterus in which the body is partially divided by a median septum.

uterus cordiformis

A heart-shaped uterus.

Couvelaire uterus

See: Couvelaire uterus

uterus didelphys

Double uterus.

double uterus

A congenital anomaly in which abnormalities in the formation of the müllerian ducts result in a duplication of the uterus, a uterus with a divided cavity, or sometimes, two copies of the cervix or vagina. Synonym: dimetria; uterus didelphys

uterus duplex

A double uterus resulting from failure of union of müllerian ducts.

fetal uterus

A uterus that is retarded in development and possesses an extremely long cervical canal.

gravid uterus

A pregnant uterus.

host uterus

The uterus of a woman who serves as a surrogate mother for a couple who want their fertilized egg carried to term.

uterus masculinus

The prostatic utricle.

uterus parvicollis

A normal uterus with a disproportionately small cervix.

pubescent uterus

An adult uterus that resembles that of a prepubertal female.

tipped uterus

Malposition of the uterus, and for symptoms thought to arise from that condition..

uterus unicornis

A uterus possessing only one lateral half and usually having only one uterine tube. About 20% to 30% of women who have this structural abnormality also experience repeated spontaneous abortion during early pregnancy.