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Image:Illu cervix.jpg
The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterine wall consisting of smooth muscle cells and supporting stromal and vascular tissue.
The inner layer of the uterine wall is the endometrium or uterine lining, and the outer layer the serosa or peritoneum. The myometrium stretches (the smooth muscle cells expand in size, rather than number) during pregnancy to allow for the harboring of the pregnancy, and contracts in a coordinated fashion during the process of labor. After delivery the myometrium contracts to expel the placenta and reduce blood loss.
Lack of contraction at this stage is termed uterine atony. After pregnancy the uterus returns to its nonpregnant size by a process of myometrial involution.
[edit] Pathology
Neoplasms of the myometrium are very common, termed uterine leiomyomata or fibroids. Their malignant version, leiomyosarcoma, is rare.
[edit] External links
| Female reproductive system
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| Ovaries: Germinal epithelium | Tunica albuginea | cortex (Cumulus oophorus, Stroma of ovary) | Medulla of ovary
Follicles: Corpus luteum | Corpus albicans | Granulosa cells | Membrana granulosa | Corona radiata | Theca of follicle | Follicular antrum | Follicular fluid | Zona pellucida | Folliculogenesis/Oogenesis
Ligaments: Proper | Suspensory | Round | Broad (Mesovarium, Mesosalpinx, Mesometrium) | Cardinal
Fallopian tubes: Isthmus | Ampulla | Infundibulum | Fimbria
Uterus: cervix/neck (External orifice, Canal of the cervix, Internal orifice) | corpus/body (Cavity of the body, Fundus) | layers (Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium)
Vulva: Mons pubis | Labium (Labia majora, Labia minora, Cleft of venus, Labial commissures) | Clitoris (Clitoral hood , Clitoral glans, Frenulum clitoridis, Clitoral crura, Corpus cavernosa, Vestibular bulbs) | Bartholin's glands | Vagina (Skene's glands , Fossa of vestibule of vagina) | Frenulum labiorum pudendi | Hymen | Vulval vestibule
Breast: Mammary glands | Nipple | Areola | Lactiferous duct
G-spot | Urethral sponge
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