Organ
Endometrium
A regenerating mucosa responsive to ovarian hormones
High-yield
Functionalis changes and sheds; basalis supports renewal. Progesterone withdrawal initiates coordinated inflammatory, vascular and tissue-remodelling events before menstruation.
Overview
The endometrium lines the uterine cavity with glands and a specialized cellular stroma. During an ovulatory cycle, estrogen promotes growth and progesterone supports secretory differentiation. The superficial functional layer is shed at menstruation, while deeper basal tissue supplies much of the regenerative capacity.
Reference facts
- Location
- Lines the cavity of the uterine body and fundus, joining cervical and tubal mucosa at their respective openings.
- Parts
- A basal region adjacent to muscle and a superficial functional region containing glands, surface epithelium and stroma.
- Blood supply
- Radial branches from uterine arcuate vessels give basal and spiral arterial branches. Vascular changes work with inflammatory and enzymatic processes during shedding.
- Innervation
- Uterine nerves travel mainly in deeper tissues; nerve fibers are sparse in normal superficial functionalis and distribution can change with disease.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Venous drainage joins uterine plexuses; lymphatic connections follow the uterine wall toward pelvic and lumbar pathways.
- Relations
- Directly contacts the myometrium without an intervening submucosa; depth of myometrial invasion is important when evaluating endometrial cancer.
- Function
- Provides a hormonally regulated environment for implantation and early pregnancy, with cyclical breakdown and repair when pregnancy does not continue.
Clinical correlation
Damage involving the basal endometrium can contribute to intrauterine adhesions and altered bleeding or fertility. Endometriosis involves endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Abnormal bleeding, including after menopause, can be associated with endometrial disease.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the endometrium located?
The endometrium lies lines the cavity of the uterine body and fundus, joining cervical and tubal mucosa at their respective openings.
What does the endometrium do?
Provides a hormonally regulated environment for implantation and early pregnancy, with cyclical breakdown and repair when pregnancy does not continue.
What are the parts of the endometrium?
A basal region adjacent to muscle and a superficial functional region containing glands, surface epithelium and stroma.
What is the blood supply of the endometrium?
Radial branches from uterine arcuate vessels give basal and spiral arterial branches. Vascular changes work with inflammatory and enzymatic processes during shedding.