STRUCTURE

●       Endometrium is made up of single layer of columnar cells at surface lying over connective tissue whose thickness varies in response to hormones in females.

●       Two layers of Endometrium are found in a fertile female.

• Outer Functional layer is adjacent to uterine cavity.

• Inner Basal layer is adjacent to Myometrium.

●       Endometrium is a mucous membrane in nature. Its average thickness is 6.7 millimetre.

●       Endometrium has uterine glands.

FUNCTION AND FEMALE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

In response to hormones of female during menstrual cycle Endometrium undergoes a number of structural changes which aid in its function.

• In response to estrogen in female menstrual cycle, Endometrium develops rich vascular supply of spiral vessels and proliferates.
• When ovulation occurs and progesterone is released it induces Endometrium to secretory phase. It helps implantation of a Blastocyst.
• If one or more Blastocyst gets implanted Endometrium forms a Placenta. Endometrium also functions as mucous membrane and helps keeping uterine cavity patent by inhibiting adhesion of myometrium to opposite side thus blocking uterine cavity.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

• Endometrial Cancer is the most common type of cancer in females regarding their genital tract.
• If Endometrium gets damaged by instrumentation or devices, opposite sides of uterus can adhere and block uterine cavity, known as Asherman’s Syndrome.
• Endometrial tissue can grow outside the the uterus resulting in Endometriosis.
• In Adenomyosis endometrial tissue grows into the myometrium of uterus.