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Home  »  Anatomy of the Human Body  »  pages 1258

Henry Gray (1825–1861). Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918.

pages 1258

ends by extrusion of the ovum through the abdominal ostium, although it is not uncommon for the tube to rupture into the peritoneal cavity, this being accompanied by severe hemorrhage, and needing surgical interference.
 
3d. 3. The Uterus
 
  
(Womb)


The uterus (Figs. 1161, 1165, 1166) is a hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ situated deeply in the pelvic cavity between the bladder and rectum. Into its upper part the uterine tubes open, one on either side, while below, its cavity communicates with that of the vagina. When the ova are discharged from the ovaries they are carried to the uterine cavity through the uterine tubes. If an ovum be fertilized it imbeds itself in the uterine wall and is normally retained in the uterus until prenatal development is completed, the uterus undergoing changes in size and structure to accommodate itself to the needs of the growing embryo (see page 59). After parturition the uterus returns almost to its former condition, but certain traces of its enlargement remains. It is necessary, therefore, to describe as the type-form the adult virgin uterus, and then to consider the modifications which are effected as a result of pregnancy.


FIG. 1166– Sagittal section of the lower part of a female trunk, right segment. SM. INT. Small intestine. (Testut.) (See enlarged image)