Corpus uteri

Corpus uteri is the main body of the uterus, a major female reproductive organ. It is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. The corpus uteri is the part of the uterus that contracts during childbirth to help push out the baby. It also sheds its lining each month during menstruation, unless a fertilized egg (embryo) implants and pregnancy begins.

Structure

The corpus uteri is the largest part of the uterus. It is separated from the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) by a narrowing known as the isthmus. The inner lining of the corpus uteri is called the endometrium, which thickens and sheds during the menstrual cycle. The muscular layer, known as the myometrium, allows for contractions during childbirth.

Functions

The main functions of the corpus uteri are to receive a fertilized egg from the fallopian tube, implant it, and nourish the developing fetus during pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus uteri sheds its lining during menstruation.

Health Issues

Various health issues can affect the corpus uteri, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine cancer. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity. Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus.

See Also

• Uterus
• Endometrium
• Myometrium
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Uterine cancer

Corpus uteri Resources
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