[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/) › Fundus of uterus [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Fundus of uterus The fundus is the rounded top of the uterus, above where the tubes join; in pregnancy its height is measured to follow the baby's growth. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=uterine_fundus&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The rounded top of the uterus, above where the tubes join. ## What it does Its height above the pubic bone is measured in pregnancy to follow the baby's growth. ## Key points - Fundal landmarks in pregnancy: just above the [pubic symphysis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pubic-symphysis/) at about 12 weeks and near the xiphoid process at about 36 weeks - From about 24 weeks the symphysis–fundal height in centimetres roughly equals the weeks of gestation (within about 2 cm) - At each upper corner (cornu) the uterine tube enters, with the round ligament of uterus just below and in front and the ovarian ligament just below and behind ## Key facts **Where** Rounded top of the uterus above the openings of the uterine tubes; normally anteverted and anteflexed over the bladder **Blood supply** [Uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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** Fundal height tracks pregnancy (at the umbilicus at about 20 weeks) ## Relations **Above** Loops of [ileum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ileum/) and the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/); the [greater omentum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/greater-omentum/) may reach it **In front** Upper surface of the [urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/) when the uterus is anteflexed **Lateral** The cornua, 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/) **Below** [Body of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/body-of-uterus/) ## How to find it In pregnancy the fundus is found by walking the side of the hand down from the xiphoid until its upper edge is met; fundal height is then measured with a tape to the top of the pubic symphysis. After birth it is felt as a firm ball near the umbilicus that sinks a little each day. ## Examination - First Leopold manoeuvre: both hands palpate the fundus to tell which fetal pole lies there, a round hard head or a broad, softer breech ## On imaging On ultrasound, best in a coronal (3D) view, the outer contour of the fundus separates anomalies: a deep external cleft points to a bicornuate uterus, a smooth or flat contour with an inner septum to a septate uterus. ## Common problems - Fibroids (benign muscle growths). - Heavy or painful periods; adenomyosis. - Endometrial cancer, usually after menopause. - Prolapse (the uterus drops into the [vagina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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 fundal height smaller or larger than expected leads to ultrasound for growth restriction, multiple pregnancy, abnormal amniotic fluid or wrong dates - Uterine inversion: after delivery the fundus turns inside out through the [cervix](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cervix-of-uterus/), classically with cord traction on a fundal placenta; the fundus can no longer be felt in the abdomen - A high, soft fundus after birth signals uterine atony (see [myometrium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/myometrium/)) ## Anatomical variants - Arcuate uterus: a shallow dip of the fundus into the top of the cavity with a normal outer contour; usually regarded as a variant of normal ## Development The fundus forms where the upper ends of the two paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts fuse and the wall between them is resorbed; failure of fusion leaves a notched fundus (bicornuate uterus), while failure of resorption leaves an inner septum under a normal outer contour. ## Related conditions - [Postpartum haemorrhage](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/postpartum-haemorrhage/) - [Uterine inversion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/uterine-inversion/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where is the uterine fundus felt at about 12 weeks and at about 36 weeks of pregnancy? Just above the pubic symphysis at about 12 weeks; near the xiphoid process at about 36 weeks. ## From about 24 weeks, how does symphysis–fundal height relate to gestational age? The height in centimetres roughly equals the weeks of gestation, within about 2 cm. ## What does the first Leopold manoeuvre assess at the uterine fundus? Which fetal pole lies at the fundus: a round, hard head or a broad, softer breech. ## In uterine inversion, what happens to the uterine fundus? It turns inside out through the cervix after delivery, classically with cord traction on a fundal placenta, and can no longer be felt in the abdomen. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** fundus uteri TA2 3501 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Fondo del útero DeCS D014599 **English (TA2)** Fundus of uterus ## Related - [Body of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/body-of-uterus/) - [Uterine tubes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/) - [Round ligament of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/round-ligament-of-uterus/) - [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/fundus-of-uterus/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/