01 / Location & anatomical relationships
In the pelvis, between the bladder and rectum in people who have it.
02 / Structure & organization
The uterine wall includes endometrium, thick myometrium and an outer covering. Its body and fundus lie above the cervix. Endometrial tissue changes during the menstrual cycle under hormonal influence.
03 / Function
During pregnancy, a baby can develop inside it.
04 / Mechanism
The uterus has a thick muscular wall and a lining that changes during menstrual cycles. If pregnancy develops, the lining supports implantation and the muscular organ grows. Without pregnancy, part of the lining can leave during menstruation.
Working together: reproductive system
Bodies develop in different ways. During puberty, hormones help reproductive organs mature. A pregnancy can begin when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, and development continues in the uterus.
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Connect structure with function
Implantation occurs in the endometrium, while the myometrium provides substantial contractile force during labor. Uterine orientation and size vary among individuals and with reproductive history.
Check your understanding
Locate the uterus in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.