Dorothy FarrarUterus
In addition to the ovaries, the uterus is the central female sex organ. The female body produces egg cells in the ovaries, which migrate to the uterus during fertilization. This is where the unborn child grows during pregnancy and is supplied with the necessary nutrients by the woman’s body.
Definition
The medical term for the womb is “uterus”. It forms part of the sexual organs without which reproduction and pregnancy would not be possible. No other muscle can expand like the uterus. Before pregnancy it is about 7 cm long, after that up to 9 cm.
During pregnancy, the uterus expands to the rib area. Their normal weight is between 60 and 100 grams. Within this central organ, the embryo develops into a fetus after fertilization. The child is fed through the umbilical cord until birth.
Anatomy
The woman’s body is divided into external and internal sex organs. In addition to the vagina , the ovaries and the fallopian tube , the uterus is one of the internal sex organs. Its shape is reminiscent of an upside-down pear, which is connected to the ovaries via the fallopian tubes on the upper sides.
The uterus is divided into the body of the uterus (corpus uteri), a constriction known as the “isthmus” and the cervix (cervix uteri). It is slightly tilted forward, which is related to the organs and muscles that surround it . It is surrounded by the bladder , the intestines , the ovaries and the pelvic vessels. At the bottom, the uterus is separated from the pelvic floor. Its blood supply comes from arteries that emanate from the iliac arteries.
The uterus is built up in three layers. The outer layer is a shiny covering covered with peritoneum, also called the “perimetrium”. The main part is a muscle layer (hyometrium). The third layer is the mucous membrane, called “endometrium”, which is one of the most common causes of female complaints.
Function
The sexual organs of women are in a complicated hormonal interaction with each other. This causes egg cells to grow in the woman’s ovaries every 28 days. Unless they are fertilized, they are flushed out of the body through the uterus via menstrual bleeding .
Female menstruation lasts about a week. Remnants of the mucous membrane and secretion are also excreted. A woman loses between 65 and 200 ml of fluid during a period. If an egg is fertilized, it implants itself in the uterus. The menstrual bleeding is prevented hormonally and the fetus grows in the uterus.
It remains there during pregnancy and is supplied with all vital nutrients. During this time, the muscle mass of the uterus increases to 1000-1500 grams. It increases in width by up to three times and in length by up to forty times. By the 36th week, the uterus has expanded to the breastbone.
The uterus thus forms the center of the hormone cycle and thus also affects the emotional life of the woman. In addition to menstruation and pregnancy, it also regulates the menopause after the last menstruation ( menopause ).
Diseases
Various ailments and diseases can occur in connection with the uterus. This includes, for example, malformations and various inflammations that can be triggered by a disturbed flora. Women often suffer from bleeding irregularities. This includes, in particular, the irregular occurrence of menstruation. In most cases, this is regulated by taking hormonal preparations such as birth control pills.
But excessive blood loss during the period also falls into this category. Other symptoms can cause a uterine prolapse caused by weak pelvic floor muscles. A doctor will recommend appropriate exercises to strengthen them.
Muscle weakness can also occur after childbirth. This can affect the woman’s sex life, for example. In addition to rather harmless symptoms, growths or tumors can also form in the uterus.
The most common diseases include cervical cancer (cervical carcinoma) and so-called “fibroids”. These are benign tumors. The treatment of fibroids depends on the individual case. Diseases and complaints that affect the lining of the uterus include, on the one hand, malignant tumors and growths in the lining of the womb. Doctors call this growth “endometriosis”. It is the second most common disease in women.
Cysts can also form in the uterus, which in some cases have to be removed. Mucus and blood can also collect there. Depending on the course, cause and symptoms of the disease, removal of the uterus is possible. Such an operation is called a “hysterectomy” and has far-reaching consequences for the woman’s hormonal balance. In addition, pregnancy is then no longer possible. Therefore, the operation should be preceded by a detailed consultation.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.