Myometrium - wikipedia Myometrium Myometrium Uterus and uterine tubes ( Myometrium labeled at center right ) Microscopic slide of the myometrium. Details Identifiers Latin tunica muscularis MeSH D009215 TA A09. 1.03. 025 FMA 17743 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterine wall, consisting mainly of uterine smooth muscle cells ( also called uterine myocytes ), but also of supporting stromal and vascular tissue. Its main function is to induce uterine contractions. Contents 1 Macrostructure 2 Molecular muscular structure 3 Contractile patterns 3.1 Resting state 3.2 Excitation - contraction 3.3 Restoration to resting state 4 Functions 5 Pathology 6 References 7 External links Macrostructure The myometrium is located between the endometrium ( the inner layer of the uterine wall ), and the serosa or perimetrium ( the outer uterine layer ). Myometrium has 3 layers : outer longitudinal smooth muscles, middle crisscrossing ( figure of eight ) muscle fibres, and inner circular fibres. Middle crisscross fibres act as living ligature during involution of the uterus and prevent blood loss. The inner one - third of the myometrium ( termed the junctional or sub-endometrial layer ) appears to be derived from the Müllerian duct, while the outer, more predominant layer of the myometrium appears to originate from non-Müllerian tissue, and is the major contractile tissue during parturition and abortion. The junctional layer appears to function like a circular muscle layer, capable of peristaltic and anti-peristaltic activity, equivalent to the muscular layer of the intestines. Molecular muscular structure Further information : Smooth muscle The molecular structure of the smooth muscle of myometrium is very similar to that of smooth muscle in other sites of the body, with myosin and actin being the predominant proteins. In uterine smooth muscle, there is approximately 6-fold more actin than myosin. A shift in the myosin expression of the uterine smooth muscle may be responsible for changes in the directions of uterine contractions during the menstrual cycle. Contractile patterns Uterine smooth muscle has a phasic pattern, shifting between a contractile pattern and maintenance of a resting tone with discrete, intermittent contractions of varying frequency, amplitude and duration. As noted for the macrostructure of uterine smooth muscle, the junctional layer appears be capable of both peristaltic and anti-peristaltic activity. Resting state The resting membrane potential ( V ) of uterine smooth muscle has been recorded to be between - 35 and - 80 mV. As with the resting membrane potential of other cell types, it is maintained by a Na / K pump that causes a higher concentration of Na ions in the extracellular space than in the intracellular space, and a higher concentration of K ions in the intracellular space than in the extracellular space. Subsequently, having K channels open to a higher degree than Na channels results in an overall efflux of positive ions, resulting in a negative potential. This resting potential undergoes rhythmic oscillations, which have been termed slow waves, and reflect intrinsic activity of slow wave potentials. These slow waves are caused by changes in the distribution of Ca, Na, K and Cl ions between the intracellular and extracellular spaces, which, in turn, reflects the permeability of the plasma membrane to each of those ions. K is the major ion responsible for such changes in ion flux, reflecting changes in various K channels. Excitation - contraction This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( April 2011 ) The excitation - contraction coupling of uterine smooth muscle is also very similar to that of other smooth muscle in general, with intracellular increase in calcium ( Ca ) leading to contraction. However, the stimulating factors for uterine smooth muscle differs from other types of. Restoration to resting state This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( April 2011 ) Removal of Ca after contraction induces relaxation of the smooth muscle, and restores the molecular structure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum for the next contractile stimulus. Functions Further information : Uterine contraction The myometrium stretches ( the smooth muscle cells expand in both size and number ) during pregnancy to allow for the uterus to become several times its non-gravid size, and contracts in a coordinated fashion, via a positive feedback effect on the `` Ferguson reflex '', during the process of labor. After delivery the myometrium contracts to expel the placenta, and crisscrossing fibres of middle layer compress the blood vessels to minimize blood loss. A positive benefit to early breastfeeding is a stimulation of this reflex to reduce further blood loss and facilitate a swift return to prepregnancy uterine and abdominal muscle tone. Pathology Lack of contraction at this stage is termed uterine atony. After pregnancy the uterus returns to its nonpregnant size by a process of myometrial involution. Benign neoplasms of the myometrium are very common, termed uterine leiomyomata or fibroids. Their malignant version, leiomyosarcoma, is rare. References ^ Jump up to : Aguilar, H.N. ; Mitchell, S. ; Knoll, A.H. ; Yuan, X. ( 2010 ). `` Physiological pathways and molecular mechanisms regulating uterine contractility ''. Human Reproduction Update. 16 ( 6 ) : 725 -- 744. doi : 10.1093 / humupd / dmq016. PMID 20551073. Jump up ^ `` NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms ''. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 2017 - 12 - 27. Jump up ^ Miller - Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. Jump up ^ Steven 's and Lowe Histology p352 External links Myometrium at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH ) Female reproductive system Internal Adnexa Ovaries Follicles corpus hemorrhagicum luteum albicans Theca of follicle externa interna Follicular antrum Follicular fluid Corona radiata Zona pellucida Membrana granulosa Perivitelline space Other Germinal epithelium Tunica albuginea cortex Cumulus oophorus Stroma Medulla Fallopian tubes Isthmus Ampulla Infundibulum Fimbria Ostium Ligaments Ovarian ligament Suspensory ligament Wolffian vestiges Gartner 's duct Epoophoron Vesicular appendages of epoophoron Paroophoron Uterus Regions Body Uterine cavity Fundus Cervix External orifice Cervical canal Internal orifice Supravaginal portion Vaginal portion Uterine horns Layers Endometrium epithelium Myometrium Perimetrium Parametrium Ligaments Round ligament Broad ligament Cardinal ligament Uterosacral ligament Pubocervical ligament General Uterine glands Vagina Fossa of vestibule of vagina Vaginal fornix Hymen Vaginal rugae Support structures Vaginal epithelium External Vulva Labia Mons pubis Labia majora Anterior commissure Posterior commissure Pudendal cleft Labia minora Frenulum of labia minora Frenulum of clitoris Vulval vestibule Interlabial sulci Bulb of vestibule Vaginal orifice vestibular glands / ducts Bartholin 's glands / Bartholin 's ducts Skene 's glands / Skene 's ducts Clitoris Crus of clitoris Corpus cavernosum Clitoral glans Hood Urethra Urethral crest Other G - spot Urethral sponge Perineal sponge Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myometrium&oldid=825334652 '' Categories : Pelvis Mammal female reproductive system Hidden categories : Articles to be expanded from April 2011 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Español Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Polski Português తెలుగు 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 12 February 2018, at 20 : 31. 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Question: which wall of the uterus is made of smooth muscle
Answer: myometrium