uterus
[ yoo-ter-uh s ]
/ ˈyu tər əs /
noun, plural u·ter·i [yoo-tuh-rahy] /ˈyu təˌraɪ/, u·ter·us·es. Anatomy, Zoology.
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 of uterus
1605–15; < Latin: the womb, matrix; akin to Greek
hystéra womb, Sanskrit
udara belly
Words nearby uterus
uteroscope,
uteroscopy,
uterotomy,
uterotonic,
uterotubography,
uterus,
uterus didelphys,
utgard,
utgard-loki,
uther,
uthman
Example sentences from the Web for uterus
British Dictionary definitions for uterus
uterus
/ (ˈjuːtərəs) /
noun plural uteri (ˈjuːtəˌraɪ)
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
the corresponding organ in other animals
Word Origin for uterus
C17: from Latin; compare Greek
hustera womb,
hoderos belly, Sanskrit
udara belly
Medical definitions for uterus
uterus
[ yōō′tər-əs ]
n. pl. u•ter•us•es
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.
metra womb
Scientific definitions for uterus
uterus
[ yōō′tər-əs ]
Plural uteri (yōō′tə-rī′) 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.
Cultural definitions for uterus
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.