The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
The uterus (womb) is the organ in which an early embryo implants and develops until birth. The body of the uterus is known as the corpus and the opening of the uterus into the vagina is known as the cervix. The thick walled uterus is structured of smooth muscle (the myometrium). The endometrium is the lining of the uterine corpus and its thickness and structure vary with the stages of the menstrual cycle. The endometrium is comprised of the stratum functionale, which is lost and subsequently replaced during each menstrual cycle, and the stratum basale which is retained after the menstrual period and which supplies cells for the renewal of the endometrium. Uterine glands are found deep within the stratum basale and it is cells from these glands that provide for repopulation of the stratum functionale. The endometrium is well supplied with blood vessels. Sloughed stratum functionale causes blood to be released from ruptured vessels and the mix of sloughed cells and blood comprises menstrual fluid.
Ordinarily, tissues remain in place throughout life. Sometimes, however, endometrial cells wander away from the uterine corpus and establish colonies elsewhere. This pathological condition is known as endometriosis.