Endometrium Embryology and development

Origin --- endometrium ---- mullerian or mesonephric duct----9th wk of gestation Myometrium mullerian or mesonephric duct

Cervix mucus membrane is derived from urogenital sinus .

Chronology of development Timing Before 20th wk After 20th wk At birth Description Only a lining of columnar epithelium with underlying layer of fibrocollagenous tissue. Invagination of this epithelium toward the myometrium and forming glands. the uterus, which is made up of the uterine corpus and uterine cervix, measures approximately 4 cm in length, the majority of which is made up of the cervix. The endometrium measures less than 0.5mmin thickness, and the surface and glands are lined by a low columnar to cuboidal epithelium devoid of either proliferative or secretory activity, which resembles the inactive endometrium of postmenopausal women. Inactive undergoes cyclical morphologic changes , which are particularly evident in the superficial two thirds, the so-called functionalis layer. Morphologic alterations are minimal in the deeper one third, the so-called basalis layer. the endometrial morphology is similar to that in the prepubertal years

Prepubertal Reproductive age

Postmenopausal

Vascular supply The blood vessels of endometrium are called spiral arteries the are derived from radial arteries of myometrium, the specialty of these spiral arteries especially in functionallis layer is 1) They lack subendothelial elastic component . 2) They become extremely tortuous due to ovarian hormones . Lymphatic drainage Endometrium drains into pelvic and Para aortic nodes .