Uterine gland
(Redirected from Uterine glands)
Uterine Gland[edit | edit source]
The uterine gland is a specialized gland located in the endometrium of the uterus. These glands play a crucial role in the reproductive process by secreting substances that support the early stages of embryo development and implantation.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Uterine glands are tubular structures that extend from the surface of the endometrium into the deeper layers. They are lined with epithelial cells that vary in shape and size depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. During the proliferative phase, the glands are relatively straight and narrow, while in the secretory phase, they become more coiled and enlarged.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of uterine glands is to secrete "uterine milk," a nutrient-rich fluid that nourishes the embryo before the placenta is fully developed. This secretion contains proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates essential for embryo survival and growth. The glands also produce cytokines and growth factors that facilitate implantation and modulate the immune response to prevent rejection of the embryo.
Development[edit | edit source]
Uterine glands develop during the fetal stage and undergo significant changes during puberty and the menstrual cycle. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone regulate their growth and activity. Estrogen stimulates gland proliferation, while progesterone enhances their secretory function.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in uterine gland function can lead to reproductive issues such as infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis can affect glandular function and structure, impacting fertility.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Uterine gland
Feto-maternal interface showing uterine milk
Uterine gland
Uterine gland
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
