Uterus Anatomy Quiz

Cavity of the Uterus

• The cavity of the uterus is a vertical slit in sagittal section and triangular in coronal section.
• The base of the cavity is formed by the fundus, and the apex is formed by the internal os.
• The cavity communicates with the cervical canal through the internal os.

Endometrium

• The endometrium is the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity.

Cervix

• The cervix is the lower, cylindrical part of the uterus, lying below the level of the internal os.
• It is less mobile than the body of the uterus and is approximately 2.5 cm in length.
• The lower part of the cervix projects into the anterior wall of the vagina, dividing it into the supravaginal and vaginal parts.

Relations of the Cervix

• Anteriorly, the cervix is related to the base of the bladder.
• Posteriorly, it is related to the rectouterine pouch, with intestinal coils and rectum.
• On each side, it is related to the ureter.

Uterine Artery

• The uterine artery is attached to the Mackenrodt's ligament.
• It is also attached to the lower attached margin of the broad ligament.

Supports of the Uterus

• Primary supports: muscular, fibromuscular, and pelvic diaphragm.
• Secondary supports: broad ligaments, uterovesical fold, and rectovaginal fold.

Pelvic Diaphragm

• The pelvic diaphragm is a muscular support of the uterus.

Perineal Body

• The perineal body is a muscular support of the uterus.

Urogenital Diaphragm

• The urogenital diaphragm is a muscular support of the uterus.

Uterine Axis

• The uterine axis is normally anteverted and anteflexed.
• It begins at the lateral angle of the uterus and extends to the deep inguinal ring, then through the inguinal canal, and finally splits into thin filaments that merge with the areolar tissue of the labium majus.

Round Ligament of the Uterus

• The round ligament of the uterus is a secondary support that maintains the angle of anteversion.

Secondary Supports

• The secondary supports are classified as:
  • Anterior false ligament (Utero-vesical fold of peritoneum)
  • Posterior false ligament (Recto-vaginal fold of peritoneum)
  • Broad ligaments

Utero-vesical Fold

• The utero-vesical fold is formed by the reflection of peritoneum from the anterior surface of the body of the uterus to the upper surface of the urinary bladder at the level of the isthmus.

Recto-vaginal Fold

• The recto-vaginal fold is formed by the peritoneal reflection from the posterior fornix of the vagina to the rectum, and it forms the pouch of Douglas.

Broad Ligament

• The broad ligament is a 2-fold peritoneal fold that suspends the uterus to the lateral pelvic wall.
• It divides the pelvic cavity into an anterior compartment for the bladder and a posterior compartment for the sigmoid colon and rectum.

Arterial Supply of the Uterus

• The uterine arteries are the main arteries supplying the uterus.
• They run medially towards the cervix, crossing the ureter above the lateral fornix of the vagina.
• They then run upwards through the broad ligament along the lateral border of the uterus with a tortuous course.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Uterus

• The lymphatic drainage of the uterus consists of 3 intercommunicating networks: endometrial, myometrial, and subperitoneal.
• These networks drain into the lymphatics on the side of the uterus, including the aortic nodes, superficial inguinal nodes, external iliac nodes, internal iliac nodes, and sacral nodes.

Age and Reproductive Changes

• In fetal life, the cervix is more elongated than the body of the uterus.
• At puberty, the uterus enlarges and the arbor vitae uteri appear.
• During menstruation, the uterus is slightly enlarged and more vascular.
• During pregnancy, the uterus is enormously enlarged due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
• After parturition, the uterus gradually involutes and returns to its nonpregnant size.
• In old age, the uterus becomes smaller in size, and the internal and external os are frequently obliterated.