Size
The Common Vein Copyright 2010
Introduction
The nature and structure of the uterus allows it to change its size dramatically based on age and physiological state. The mature adult uterus has been described as about the size of a small pear or an avocado. It is slightly smaller than the heart and the mature uterus is described as the size of a woman’s fist. In the non gravid state it is confined to the deep pelvis but is able to reach the epigastrium and subxiphoid region when at peak pregnancy.
The mature non gravid uterus measures about 8cm. in length, 4 cm. in A-P dimension, by nearly 6 cm. in transverse dimension; it weighs from about 35gms in the virgin state to up to 200 gms in the postpartum state, and has a correlative volume of between 75-200ccs.The myometrium measures between 1.5-2.5cms thick, and the endometrium measures from 1-10 mms and sometimes up to greater 10mms thick.
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Seasons of the Uterus and Size Changes |
| The sagittal diagram of the uterus and vagina through time shows an anteverted uterus at birth, through youth as it slowly matures and enlarges, entering spring as it reaches maturity, summer time when it bears fruit, and then through fall as it starts to involute in the postmenopausal period, and finally in its winter when it shrivels. In this view the uterus vagina, and the internal cavity starting in the endometrial cavity, coursing through the cervix and then into the collapsed vaginal cavity is exemplified.
Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Copyright 2010 All rights reserved 96268b.51kc02Lh.8s |
References
Fleischer AC, Kepple DM. Normal pelvic anatomy as depicted by various sonographic techniques. In: Fleischer AC, Javitt MC, Jeffrey RB, Jones HW, III, eds. Clinical gynecologic imaging. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven, 1997; 10-41.
(Kido)