Uterine gland
Uterine glands | |
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![]() Vertical section of mucous membrane of human uterus. (Glands labeled at center right.) | |
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Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | glandulae uterinae |
TA98 | A09.1.03.028 |
TA2 | 3522 |
FMA | 71647 |
Anatomical terminology |
Uterine glandsorendometrial glandsaretubular glands,lined by a simple columnar epithelium, found in the functional layer of theendometriumthat lines theuterus.Their appearance varies during themenstrual cycle.During the proliferative phase, uterine glands appear long due to estrogen secretion by the ovaries. During the secretory phase, the uterine glands become very coiled with wide lumens and produce a glycogen-rich secretion known ashistotrophoruterine milk.[1][2]This change corresponds with an increase in blood flow tospiral arteriesdue to increasedprogesteronesecretion from thecorpus luteum.During the pre-menstrual phase, progesterone secretion decreases as the corpus luteum degenerates, which results in decreased blood flow to the spiral arteries. The functional layer of the uterus containing the glands becomes necrotic, and eventually sloughs off during the menstrual phase of the cycle.
They are of small size in the unimpregnated uterus, but shortly afterimpregnationbecome enlarged and elongated, presenting a contorted or waved appearance.
Function
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Feto-maternal_interface_showing_uterine_milk.jpg/220px-Feto-maternal_interface_showing_uterine_milk.jpg)
Hormonesproduced in earlypregnancystimulate the uterine glands to secrete a number of substances to give nutrition and protection to the embryo and fetus, and thefetal membranes.[1]These secretions are known ashistiotroph,alternativelyhistotroph,and also asuterine milk.[1][2]Important uterine milk proteins areglycodelin-A,andosteopontin.[1]
Some secretory components from the uterine glands are taken up by the secondary yolk sac lining the exocoelomic cavity during pregnancy, and may thereby assist in providing fetal nutrition.[3]
Additional images
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Primary chorionic villi. Diagrammatic.
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Secondary chorionic villi. Diagrammatic.
References
[edit]This article incorporates text in thepublic domainfrompage 1262of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)
- ^abcdBurton, GJ; Cindrova-Davies, T; Turco, MY (December 2020)."Review: Histotrophic nutrition and the placental-endometrial dialogue during human early pregnancy".Placenta.102:21–26.doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2020.02.008.PMID33218574.S2CID214025290.
- ^abKelleher, AM; DeMayo, FJ; Spencer, TE (1 October 2019)."Uterine Glands: Developmental Biology and Functional Roles in Pregnancy".Endocrine Reviews.40(5): 1424–1445.doi:10.1210/er.2018-00281.PMC6749889.PMID31074826.
- ^Burton GJ, Watson AL, Hempstock J, Skepper JN, Jauniaux E (June 2002)."Uterine glands provide histiotrophic nutrition for the human fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy".J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.87(6): 2954–9.doi:10.1210/jcem.87.6.8563.PMID12050279.
External links
[edit]- Swiss embryology(fromUL,UB,andUF)gnidation/role02
- Histology at KUMCepithel-epith06
- Anatomy photo: Reproductive/mammal/uterus1/uterus2- Comparative Organology at University of California, Davis - "Mammal, uterus (LM, Medium)"
- UIUC Histology Subject1024