Myometrium

Definition

The myometrium is the thick, muscular middle layer of the uterine wall, primarily composed of smooth muscle cells. It plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and childbirth by contracting to expel the lining of the uterus during menstruation and pushing the baby out during labor.

Related terms

Endometrium:

The innermost lining of the uterus, which thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for potential implantation of an embryo.

Uterus:

A hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and rectum, that houses and nourishes a developing fetus during pregnancy.

Smooth muscle: A type of muscle tissue which is not under conscious control and is found in walls of internal organs such as intestines and blood vessels, including the myometrium