The<unk>  is located within the pelvic region immediately behind and almost overlying the bladder, and in front of the sigmoid colon. The human<unk>  is pear-shaped and about long, broad (side to side), and thick. A typical adult<unk>  weighs about 60 grams. The<unk>  can be divided anatomically into four regions: the fundus – the uppermost rounded portion of the<unk> , the corpus (body), the cervix, and the cervical canal. The cervix protrudes into the vagina. The<unk>  is held in position within the pelvis by ligaments, which are part of the endopelvic fascia. These ligaments include the pubocervical ligaments, the cardinal ligaments, and the<unk> acral ligaments. It is covered by a sheet-like fold of peritoneum, the broad ligament. Diagram showing regions of the<unk>  From outside to inside, regions of the<unk>  include: * Cervix<unk> eri – "neck of<unk> " * External orifice of the<unk>  * Cervical canal * Internal orifice of the<unk>  * Body () *<unk> erine cavity * Fundus Layers +<unk> erine wall thickness (cm) Location Mean (mm) Range (mm) Anterior wall 23 17 - 25 Posterior wall 21 15 - 25 Fundus 20 15 - 22 Isthmus 10 8 - 22 The<unk>  has three layers, which together form the<unk> erine wall. From innermost to outermost, these layers are the endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium. The endometrium is the inner epithelial layer, along with its mucous membrane, of the mammalian<unk> . It has a basal layer and a functional layer; the functional layer thickens and then is sloughed during the menstrual cycle or estrous cycle. During pregnancy, the<unk> erine glands and blood vessels in the endometrium further increase in size and number and form the decidua. Vascular spaces fuse and become interconnected, forming the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrition to the embryo and fetus. The myometrium of the<unk>  mostly consists of smooth muscle. The innermost layer of myometrium is known as the junctional zone, which becomes thickened in adenomyosis. The perimetrium is a serous layer of visceral peritoneum. It covers the outer surface of the<unk> . Surrounding the<unk>  is a layer or band of fibrous and fatty connective tissue called the parametrium that connects the<unk>  to other tissues of the pelvis. Commensal organisms are present in the<unk>  and form the<unk> erine microbiome. File:Gray1169.Vertical section of mucous membrane of human<unk>  Support<unk>  covered by the broad ligament The<unk>  is primarily supported by the pelvic diaphragm, perineal body, and urogenital diaphragm. Secondarily, it is supported by ligaments, including the peritoneal ligament and the broad ligament of<unk> . Major ligaments ==== It is held in place by several peritoneal ligaments, of which the following are the most important (there are two of each): Name From To<unk> acral ligaments Posterior cervix Anterior face of sacrum Cardinal ligaments Side of the cervix Ischial spines Pubocervical ligaments Side of the cervix Pubic symphysis Axis Normally, the<unk>  lies in anteversion and anteflexion. In most women, the long axis of the<unk>  is bent forward on the long axis of the vagina, against the urinary bladder. This position is referred to as anteversion of the<unk> . Furthermore, the long axis of the body of the<unk>  is bent forward at the level of the internal os with the long axis of the cervix. This position is termed anteflexion of the<unk> . The<unk>  assumes an anteverted position in 50% of women, a retroverted position in 25% of women, and a midposed position in the remaining 25% of women. Position The<unk>  is in the middle of the pelvic cavity in frontal plane (due to broad ligament of the<unk> . The fundus does not surpass the linea terminalis, while the vaginal part of the cervix does not extend below the interspinal line. The<unk>  is mobile and moves posteriorly under the pressure of a full bladder, or anteriorly under the pressure of a full rectum. If both are full, it moves upwards. Increased intra-abdominal pressure pushes it downwards. The mobility is conferred to it by musculo-fibrous apparatus that consists of suspensory and sustentacular part. Under normal circumstances the suspensory part keeps the<unk>  in anteflexion and anteversion (in 90% of women) and keeps it "floating" in the pelvis. The meaning of these terms are described below: Distinction More common Less common Position tipped "Anteverted": Tipped forward "Retroverted": Tipped backwards Position of fundus "Anteflexed": Fundus is pointing forward relative to the cervix "Retroflexed": Fundus is pointing backward The sustentacular part supports the pelvic organs and comprises the larger pelvic diaphragm in the back and the smaller urogenital diaphragm in the front. The pathological changes of the position of the<unk>  are: * retroversion/retroflexion, if it is fixed * hyperanteflexion – tipped too forward; most commonly congenital, but may be caused by tumors * anteposition, retroposition, lateroposition – the whole<unk>  is moved; caused by parametritis or tumors * elevation, descensus, prolapse * rotation (the whole<unk>  rotates around its longitudinal axis), torsion (only the body of the<unk>  rotates around) * inversion In cases where the<unk>  is "tipped", also known as retroverted<unk> , the woman may have symptoms of pain during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain during menstruation, minor incontinence, urinary tract infections, fertility difficulties, and difficulty using tampons. A pelvic examination by a doctor can determine if a<unk>  is tipped. Blood supply Schematic diagram of<unk> erine arterial vasculature seen as a cross-section through the myometrium and endometrium The<unk>  is supplied by arterial blood both from the<unk> erine artery and the ovarian artery. Another anastomotic branch may also supply the<unk>  from anastomosis of these two arteries. Vessels of the<unk>  and its appendages, rear view Nerve supply Afferent nerves supplying the<unk>  are T11 and T12. Sympathetic supply is from the hypogastric plexus and the ovarian plexus. Parasympathetic supply is from the S2, S3 and S4 nerves. Development Bilateral Müllerian ducts form during early fetal life. In males, anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) secreted from the testes leads to their regression. In females, these ducts give rise to the Fallopian tubes and the<unk> . In humans the lower segments of the two ducts fuse to form a single<unk> , however, in cases of<unk> erine malformations this development may be disturbed. The different<unk> erine forms in various mammals are due to various degrees of fusion of the two Müllerian ducts. Various congenital conditions of the<unk>  can develop in<unk> ero. Though uncommon some of these are a double<unk> , didelphic<unk> , bicornate<unk>  and others.
Uterus
Pelvis
Ovary
Collyrium
Testicle
Callus
Pelvic kidney
Penis