Endometrium

Article

The endometrium is the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mammalian uterus. It contains a basal layer that remains in place and a functional layer that changes in response to reproductive hormones.

During a human menstrual cycle, the functional layer proliferates under the influence of oestrogen and later becomes secretory under the influence of progesterone. If pregnancy does not occur, declining hormone levels contribute to the breakdown and shedding of this layer during menstruation.

The basal layer contains cells that regenerate the functional endometrium after menstruation. Endometrial glands, connective tissue, spiral arteries, immune cells, and changing patterns of gene expression all participate in the cycle.

During pregnancy, the endometrium undergoes further transformation and contributes to formation of the maternal portion of the placenta. Abnormal endometrial growth or inflammation can be associated with conditions such as endometriosis, hyperplasia, infertility, and endometrial cancer.

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• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrium