Updated by: Arabinda Naik
The uterus is not present in pairs but instead it is single in nature, and it is also called the womb, where the baby develops. It has a shape like an inverted pear which is supported by ligaments. It is a hollow, muscular, vascular, and large (8 cm (about 3.15 in) x 2 cm) pear-shaped Structure present in the pelvic region above the bladder. It can be divided into three parts – fundus, body, and cervix. The uterus opens into the vagina through the cervix. The cavity of the cervix is called the cervical canal. Uterus is a part of the female accessory ducts and is made of three layers of wall. –
Perimetrium (external thin layer)
Myometrium (middle thick layer of smooth muscle fibres which shows strong contraction during delivery of the
baby)
Endometrium (inner glandular layer which undergoes cyclic changes during menstrual cycle and prepares itself for the implantation of the embryo).
Fundus is the upper, dome-shaped part above the opening of the fallopian tube.
Cornua: are the upper corners where the oviduct enters the uterus.
Body(corpus): The middle and major part of the uterus is the body. It has three layers – outer peritoneal perimetrium, middle muscular myometrium and highly vascular endometrium.
Cervix: The lower narrow part which opens in the body of the uterus by internal os and in vagina by external os is called cervix. The cavity of the cervix is called the cervical canal. The cervix allows flow of menstrual blood from the uterus into vagina and allows the sperms to enter the uterus during sexual intercourse.
Functions of uterus: Uterus is the site of foetal placentation, its growth and parturition. Uterus plays the key role during the menstrual cycle.