Uterus

Uterus, a hollow, pear-shaped organ in the female pelvis commonly known as the womb. Within the uterus, the unborn child develops and grows, nourished for nine months, nourished by the blood from the mother's body. In the non pregnant woman the uterus is about three inches long, but during pregnancy its elastic wall stretches. It returns to normal size after delivery. The uterus is suspended in the pelvis by ligaments and opens into the vagina by means of the cervix, a small hollow fibrous tube like structure situated at the bottom of the uterus.

The cervix is a protective passage which shields rest of the uterus, especially during pregnancy. At delivery it descends to permit expulsion of the fetus. The uterus is a muscular organ , but its lining is a soft glandular material known as endometrium. Bleeding at administration comes from this lining

The ovaries are near the uterus, on each side, but do not connect with it. Eggs from the ovary reach the uterus by passing from the top through two arm like projections known as the fallopian or uterine like tubes.

The uterus is prone to infection, especially after childbirth or criminal abortion. Occasionally sever inflammation after abortion may result in permanent sterility, because of destruction of the uterine lining. Cancer of the uterus occurs most frequently in older women. The symptoms include bleeding, usually between periods or after menopause. Bleeding may occur form less serious sources, such as fibroid growths in the uterine wall. Although there is no anatomical link between the uterus and the pituitary, the latter does effect the function of the former. The etiology of uterine problems may be complex as they may involve dysfunction of uterine tissue usually precipitated by the trophic effects of estrogen which in turn are governed by the pituitary and liver influences.

Oxytocin, a posterior pituitary hormone, exerts its physiologic action primarily in the reproductive sphere. It stimulate uterine contractions to greater extent than contraction of vascular smooth muscles. Stimulation of the uterine contraction by oxytocin may have physiology significance in two situations. First in aiding the transport of sperm from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, and second, in the initiation and maintenance of labor. In late pregnancy contraction of the uterine fundus is primarily stimulated, while the cervix remains relative inactive. Such a pattern of contraction is useful in labor. Oxytocin may also participate in the regulation of lactation and uterine contraction during that period.

The normal activity of menstruation as well as childbirth show the uterus to be particularly vulnerable in stress situations where the female does not have the ability to cope with these requirements

Estrogen, a hormone, that if in excess can be detrimental to uterine tissue, and is generally broken down into estriol by the liver. Thus we see the uterus as part of an orchestra of gland, one dependent on the other for proper function. Pituitary, thyroid, liver, mammary and the various hormones are more or less involved in proper function.

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References: Medical and Health Encyclopedia volume 14 page 1944, Endocrines, Organs And Their Impact page 133, Williams Textbook of Endocrinology.