[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Body of uterus [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Body of uterus The body of the uterus is its main, muscular part, above the cervix; it is where a pregnancy implants and grows. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=uterine_body&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The main part of the uterus, with thick muscular front and back walls around a flat cavity. ## What it does Where a pregnancy implants and grows. ## Key points - Usually anteverted (cervix tipped forward on the [vagina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagina/)) and anteflexed (body bent forward on the cervix), resting on the urinary bladder; a retroverted uterus is a common normal variant - [Peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/) (perimetrium) covers both faces: in front it turns onto the bladder at the isthmus; behind it runs further down, over the posterior [vaginal fornix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vaginal-fornix/), so the rectouterine pouch is deeper - In an adult the body is about twice the length of the cervix; before puberty the cervix is the longer part ## Key facts **Where** Between fundus and isthmus; front surface on the bladder (vesicouterine pouch), back surface toward the rectum (rectouterine pouch) **Blood supply** Uterine artery (internal iliac), anastomosing with the [ovarian artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/) **Nerve** Uterovaginal plexus (from [inferior hypogastric plexus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-hypogastric-plexus/)): sympathetic T10–L1, parasympathetic S2–S4 **Function** Implantation and growth of the pregnancy; contractions of labour ## Relations **In front** [Vesicouterine pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vesicouterine-pouch/) and the upper surface of the [urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/) **Behind** [Rectouterine pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectouterine-pouch/), with loops of [ileum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ileum/) or the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/), and the [rectum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectum/) behind **Lateral** [Broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/), with the [uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-artery/) and [uterine veins](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-veins/) running up along its side **Above** [Fundus of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/), with the [uterine tubes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/), [round ligament of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/round-ligament-of-uterus/) and [ovarian ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/proper-ovarian-ligament/) attached at each upper corner **Below** [Lower uterine segment](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/isthmus-of-uterus/) and [cervix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cervix-of-uterus/) ## How to find it On bimanual examination the body is held between the vaginal fingers and the abdominal hand to judge size, shape, mobility and tenderness; an anteverted uterus is felt mainly by the abdominal hand, a retroverted one through the posterior [fornix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fornix/). In pregnancy its size is compared with the dates. ## On imaging Transvaginal ultrasound in the sagittal plane shows position, size and the endometrial stripe. T2-weighted MRI separates the bright [endometrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/endometrium/), the dark junctional zone and the intermediate outer [myometrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/myometrium/), and is used to classify congenital anomalies. ## Common problems - Fibroids (benign muscle growths). - Heavy or painful periods; adenomyosis. - Endometrial cancer, usually after menopause. - Prolapse (the uterus drops into the vagina). ## How it is diagnosed Pelvic examination and ultrasound (often transvaginal); hysteroscopy or a sample of the lining (biopsy) when needed; MRI for some cases. ## Treatment - Medicines or a hormonal intrauterine device for heavy bleeding. - Removal of fibroids (myomectomy) or blocking their blood supply (embolisation). - Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) when other treatments are not enough or for cancer. - Caesarean section to deliver a baby through the [abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/). ## Clinical notes - A uterus larger than expected for the dates suggests multiple pregnancy, fibroids, molar pregnancy or wrong dates - Perforation during instrumentation (curettage, insertion of an intrauterine device) is more likely with a sharply flexed or retroverted uterus and soon after birth - Total hysterectomy removes the body and the cervix; subtotal (supracervical) hysterectomy leaves the cervix ## Anatomical variants - Retroverted and retroflexed uterus: a normal variant in a minority of women (about one in five in many texts) ## Development The body forms from the fused paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts; incomplete fusion gives a bicornuate uterus, and failure to resorb the midline wall a septate uterus. ## Related conditions - [Postpartum haemorrhage](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/postpartum-haemorrhage/) - [Placental abruption](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/placental-abruption/) - [Miscarriage (early pregnancy loss)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/miscarriage/) - [Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/uterine-fibroids/) - [Endometrial cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/endometrial-cancer/) - [Adenomyosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/adenomyosis/) - [Abnormal uterine bleeding](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/abnormal-uterine-bleeding/) - [Dysmenorrhoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dysmenorrhoea/) - [Pelvic organ prolapse](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/) - [Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/molar-pregnancy/) - [Eclampsia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/eclampsia/) - [Puerperal infection (postpartum endometritis and maternal sepsis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/puerperal-infection/) - [Rh alloimmunisation in pregnancy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rh-alloimmunisation-in-pregnancy/) - [Chorioamnionitis (intra-amniotic infection)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/chorioamnionitis/) - [Septic and unsafe abortion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/septic-and-unsafe-abortion/) - [Hyperemesis gravidarum](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hyperemesis-gravidarum/) - [Endometrial hyperplasia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/endometrial-hyperplasia/) - [Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (choriocarcinoma)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gestational-trophoblastic-neoplasia/) - [Multiple pregnancy and twin–twin transfusion syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/multiple-pregnancy-and-twin-twin-transfusion-syndrome/) - [Breech and other malpresentations](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/breech-and-other-malpresentations/) - [Stillbirth (intrauterine fetal death)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/stillbirth/) - [Asherman syndrome (intrauterine adhesions)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/asherman-syndrome/) - [Müllerian anomalies (MRKH, septate uterus, imperforate hymen)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/mullerian-anomalies/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the usual position of the body of the uterus? Anteverted (cervix tipped forward on the vagina) and anteflexed (body bent forward on the cervix), resting on the bladder; retroversion is a common normal variant. ## Why is the rectouterine pouch deeper than the vesicouterine pouch? Behind the body of the uterus the peritoneum runs further down, over the posterior vaginal fornix; in front it turns onto the bladder at the isthmus. ## What does incomplete fusion of the paramesonephric ducts produce, compared with failure to resorb the midline wall? Incomplete fusion gives a bicornuate uterus; failure to resorb the midline wall gives a septate uterus. ## What is the difference between total and subtotal hysterectomy? Total hysterectomy removes the body of the uterus and the cervix; subtotal (supracervical) leaves the cervix. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/body-of-uterus/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** corpus uteri TA2 3502 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cuerpo del útero DeCS D014599 **English (TA2)** Body of uterus ## Related - [Fundus of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/) - [Lower uterine segment](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/isthmus-of-uterus/) - [Endometrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/endometrium/) - [Myometrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/myometrium/) - [Broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/) - [Vesicouterine pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vesicouterine-pouch/) - [Uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=15000); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Uterus](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470297/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/body-of-uterus/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/body-of-uterus/