uterus

[yoo-ter-uh s] /ˈyu tər əs/
noun, plural uteri
[yoo-tuh-rahy] /ˈyu təˌraɪ/ (Show IPA), uteruses. Anatomy, Zoology
1.
the enlarged, muscular, expandable portion of the oviduct in which the fertilized ovum implants and develops or rests during prenatal development; the womb of certain mammals.
Origin
1605-15; < Latin: the womb, matrix; akin to Greek hystéra womb, Sanskrit udara belly
Examples from the web for uterus
  • Detailed study of the rats revealed increased levels of gamma interferon in the uterus.
  • The neem oil enhanced the local immune response in the uterus.
  • High levels of progesterone do not cause edema within the uterus.
  • A retroverted uterus is usually diagnosed during a routine pelvic examination.
  • Curettage refers to cleaning the walls of the uterus with a curette.
  • Metritis, or infection of the uterus, is a common consequence.
British Dictionary definitions for uterus

uterus

/ˈjuːtərəs/
noun (pl) uteri (ˈjuːtəˌraɪ)
1.
(anatomy) a hollow muscular organ lying within the pelvic cavity of female mammals. It houses the developing fetus and by contractions aids in its expulsion at parturition Nontechnical name womb
2.
the corresponding organ in other animals
Word Origin
C17: from Latin; compare Greek hustera womb, hoderos belly, Sanskrit udara belly
Word Origin and History for uterus
n.

1610s, from Latin uterus "womb, belly" (plural uteri), from PIE root *udero- "abdomen, womb, stomach" (cf. Sanskrit udaram "belly," Greek hystera "womb," Lithuanian vederas "sausage, intestines, stomach, lower abdomen," Old Church Slavonic vedro "bucket, barrel," Russian vedro), perhaps originally in PIE "outer, sticking out," shifting to "belly" via "protruding."

uterus in Medicine

uterus u·ter·us (yōō'tər-əs)
n. pl. u·ter·us·es or u·ter·i (yōō'tə-rī')
A hollow muscular organ consisting of a body, fundus, isthmus, and cervix located in the pelvic cavity of female mammals, in which the fertilized egg implants and develops into the fetus. Also called metra, womb.

uterus in Science
uterus
  (y'tər-əs)   
Plural uteri (y'tə-rī') or uteruses
The hollow, muscular organ of female mammals in which the embryo develops. In most mammals the uterus is divided into two saclike parts, whereas in primates it is a single structure. It lies between the bladder and rectum and is attached to the vagina and the fallopian tubes. During the menstrual cycle (estrus), the lining of the uterus (endometrium) undergoes changes that permit the implantation of a fertilized egg. Also called womb. See more at menstrual cycle.
uterus in Culture
uterus [(yooh-tuh-ruhs)]

A pear-shaped organ in the female reproductive system where the embryo or fetus develops until birth. The strong muscles of the uterus help push the baby out of the mother's body.