Uterus

(u’-ter-us) [L.]. The womb, the organ of gestation, receiving the ovum in its cavity, retaining and supporting it during the development of the fetus, and becoming the principal agent in its expulsion during parturition. It is a pear-shaped, muscular organ, three inches long, two inches wide, and one inch thick, and is divided into three portions, the fundus, the body, and the cervix. The fundus is the upper and broad portion; the body gradually narrows to the neck, which is the contracted portion. The orifice, os uteri, communicates with the vagina. The inner surface is covered with mucous membrane continuous with that of the vagina. The outer surface of the fundus and body is covered with peritoneum. The whole organ is suspended in the pelvis by means of the broad ligaments. The Fallopian tubes enter, one on either side of the fundus, at the cornua of the organ. U= bicorn is, a uterus divided into two horns or compartments on account of an arrest of development. U. cordiform is, a heart-shaped uterus, a form due to faulty development. U. duplex, a uterus that is double from failure of the Muller i an ducts to unite. U., Gravid, a pregnant uterus. U. masculinus, the little pa age formed by the sinus pocularis in the substance of the prostate. U. unicorn is, a uterus having but a single lateral half with usually only one Fallopian tube; it is the result of faulty development. 648