THE UTERUSBY ARNESHIA MCCONNELL

UTERUS: ORIGIN

Latin word meaning womb, belly

Plural form: uteruses or uteri

THE UTERUS: WHAT IS IT?

When most people think of the female sex organ, they feel the vagina is all there is to the human female reproductive system.

NOT TRUE!!!

The Uterus is: the female reproductive organ hollow, pair-shaped about 2.5 to 3 in. long and 2.5 in wide at the top located between the bladder and rectum

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

ANATOMY OF THE UTERUS

There are three sections of the uterus:Fundus: upper part where the

fallopian tubes connect.Corpus: the body of the uterus,

central portion.Cervix: lower portion, which

opens into the vagina.

ANATOMY OF THE UTERUS (continued)

Made of layers of tissue: Perimetrium: outer layer of the uterus Endometrium: inner layer of the uterine wall

This thickens and grows each month in preparation to receive a fertilized egg. This series of monthly changes is known as the menstrual cycle.

Menstruation occurs when this tissue is not used (no occurring pregnancy), so it disintegrates and passes through the vagina.

ANATOMY OF THE UTERUS (continued)

Myometrium: thick muscular walls of the uterus Expands during pregnancy to hold the

growing fetus. Contracts during labor to deliver the baby.

On each side at the top of the uterus are the fallopian tubes

Together, the uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, and ovaries make up the human female reproductive system.

THE UTERUS

FUNCTIONS OF THE UTERUS

To prepare a bed for a fertilized ovum (egg). To nourish the developing embryo during

pregnancy To expel the fetus To provide blood flow to the ovaries To provide structural support to the bladder,

bowel, pelvic bones and organs Helps separate and keep the bladder in its natural

position above the pubic bone and the bowel in its natural configuration behind the uterus.

FUNCTIONS OF THE UTERUS

The uterus is essential in sexual response by directing blood flow to the pelvis and external genitalia

This is needed for uterine orgasm to occur

THE UTERUS AND PREGNANCY

During pregnancy, the uterus grows upward out of the woman’s pelvis

After about 12 weeks of pregnancy, the fundus can be felt by your caregiver feeling your belly.

THE UTERUS AND PREGNANCY (continued)

By 24 weeks of pregnancy, the myometrium muscles start stretching upward, forming the thick upper segment of the uterus This leaves the lower segment as a thinner

layer of muscle The lower segment has the role of absorbing the

cervix as it dilates during labor The lower segment muscles are relatively

weaker with less blood supply For this reason, the cut to perform a Cesarean is

done in the lower segment of the uterus It is less likely to cause bleeding

PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS

There are many diseases and disorders of the uterus. Here are a few: CERVICAL CANCER

Malignant (cancerous) growth in the cervix Some cases are caused by human papilloma

virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. There has recently been a vaccine created for it.

Starts as a pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia (abnormal development)

Early detection through regular pap smear tests. Difficult to treat

PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS (continued)

ENDOMETRIAL CANCER Affects the endometrial lining of the uterus Symptoms:

abnormal uterine bleeding and/or abnormal menstrual periods Bleeding between normal periods before menopause Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause

Extreme long, heavy, or frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding after age 40.

Abdominal pain or pelvic cramping Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause

Treatments of endometrial cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma

PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS (continued)

FIBROIDS Benign tumor or growth Most common tumors in women Women of African-American heritage

are 3 to 9 times more likely to develop fibroids than Caucasian women.

Term is misleading because they consist of muscle tissue, not fibrous tissue

Medical term is leiomyoma

PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS (continued)

FIBROIDS (continued) Found in the wall of the uterus Can develop within the uterine wall or

attach to it May grow as a single tumor or in clusters Symptoms include:

Excessive menstrual bleeding (mennorrhagia)

Pelvic painFrequent urination

PATHOLOGY (continued)

FIBROIDS (continued) Treatment

The location of the fibroid plays a significant role on how to approach treatment

Most of the time, fibroids do not need to be treated

Fibroids grow as a woman gets older, and tend to shrink after menopause

Smaller fibroids are easier to treat, but most of them never will need to be treated

Many women with fibroids have successful pregnancies as long as the fibroids are not inside the uterine cavity

Picture of Uterus with Uterine Fibroids

Uterus With Fibroids After Hysterectomy

CONCLUSION

It is very important for all women to make their health a priority.

Annual women’s wellness checkups are very critical for early prevention of female reproductive issues.

SOURCES

www.emedicinehealth.com www.gynalternatives.com/fibroids.htm www.medterms.com www.medicinenet.com www.pregnancytoday.com www.birth.com.au http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/endometrial_

cancer Medical Terminology: A Living Language

(4th Edition). By Bonnie F. Fremgen & Suzanne S. Frucht