Uterine fibroids and hysterectomy
Description
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of uterine fibroids
Alternative Names
Hysterectomy and uterine fibroids; Leiomyoma; Myoma
Introduction
A uterine fibroid (known medically as a
leiomyoma
or
myoma
) is a benign (noncancerous) growth composed of smooth muscle and connective tissue. The size of a fibroid varies from that of a pinhead to larger than a melon. Fibroid weights of more than 20 pounds have been reported.
Fibroids originate from the thick wall of the uterus and are categorized by the direction in which they grow:
-
Intramural fibroids
grow within the middle and thickest layer of the uterus (called the
myometrium
). They are the most common fibroids.
-
Subserosal fibroids
grow out from the thin outer fibrous layer of the uterus (called the
serosa
). Subserosal can be either stalk-like (
pedunculated
) or broad-based (
sessile
). These are the second most common fibroids.
-
Submucous fibroids
grow from the uterine wall toward and into the inner lining of the uterus (the
endometrium
). Submucous fibroids can also be stalk-like or broad-based. Only about 5% of fibroids are submucous.
Fibroid tumors may not need to be removed if they are not causing pain, bleeding excessively, or growing rapidly.
The Female Reproductive System
The Primary Organs and Structures in the Reproductive System
The primary structures in the reproductive system are as follows:
-
The
uterus
is a pear-shaped organ located between the bladder and lower intestine. It consists of two parts, the body and the cervix.
-
When a woman is not pregnant the
body
of the uterus is about the size of a fist, with its walls collapsed and flattened against each other. During pregnancy the walls of the uterus are pushed apart as the fetus grows.
-
The
cervix
is the lower portion of the uterus. It has a canal opening into the vagina with an opening called the
os
, which allows menstrual blood to flow out of the uterus into the vagina.
-
Leading off each side of the body of the uterus are two tubes known as the
fallopian tubes
. Near the end of each tube is an ovary.
-
Ovaries are egg-producing organs that hold between 200,000 and 400,000
follicles
(from folliculus, meaning "sack" in Latin). These cellular sacks contain the materials needed to produce ripened eggs, or ova.
The inner lining of the uterus is called the
endometrium
, and during pregnancy it thickens and becomes enriched with blood vessels to house and support the growing fetus. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium is shed as part of the menstrual flow. Menstrual flow also consists of blood and mucus from the cervix and vagina.
Reproductive Hormones
The
hypothalamus
(an area in the brain) and the
pituitary gland
regulate the reproductive hormones. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the master gland because of its important role in many vital functions, many of which require hormones.
In women, six key hormones serve as chemical messengers that regulate the reproductive system:
-
The hypothalamus first releases the
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
.
-
This chemical, in turn, stimulates the pituitary gland to produce
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
and
luteinizing hormone (LH)
.
-
Estrogen
,
progesterone
, and the male hormone
testosterone
are secreted by the ovaries at the command of FSH and LH and complete the hormonal group necessary for reproductive health.
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Review Date: 6/13/2006
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Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital
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