The Structure and Function of the Uterus and Cervix Across the Reproductive Lifespan: Considerations for Biomaterial Design
摘要
The uterus and cervix are dynamic, multilayered organs within the female reproductive tract that undergo remarkable structural, compositional, and functional transformations throughout a woman’s lifespan. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the structural and compositional features of the human uterus and cervix across cell, tissue, and organ length scales at different stages of the reproductive lifespan, including reproductive age, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. The isthmus, the transition region between the uterus and cervix, is also discussed. Finally, this chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of multiscale structure–function relationships of the uterus and cervix in the design of biomaterials that replicate physiologic conditions.