are smooth muscles found in the uterine wall
Beyond abnormalities in uterine development, many gynecologic disease processes may affect the uterus, some of which are discussed below. Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are benign smooth muscle tumors that arise in the myometrium of the uterus. Alpha actin is also expressed as distinct genetic isoforms such as smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle specific isoforms of alpha actin. The ratio of actin to myosin is between 2:1 and 10:1 in smooth muscle, compared to ~6:1 in skeletal muscle and 4:1 in cardiac muscle. Most smooth muscle is of the single-unit variety, that is, either the whole muscle contracts or the whole muscle relaxes, but there is multiunit smooth muscle in the trachea, the large elastic arteries, and the iris of the eye. The myometrium is located between the endometrium (the inner layer of the uterine wall), and the serosa or perimetrium (the outer uterine layer). Myometrium has 3 layers: outer longitudinal smooth muscles, middle crisscrossing (figure of eight) muscle fibres, and inner circular fibres. SKELETAL MUSCLE (most familiar) is controlled by the conscious mind & moves the bones of the skeleton so that the animal can move around. CARDIAC MUSCLE one place in the body -the heart. It starts the heart beating long before the animal is born & keeps it up until the animal dies. SMOOTH MUSCLE is found all over the body in places - eyes, air passageways in the lungs, stomach & intestines, urinary bladder, blood vessels, & reproductive tract. It carries out most of the unconscious, internal movements that the body needs to maintain itself in good working order. The middle layer, or myometrium, makes up most of the uterine volume and is the muscular layer, composed primarily of smooth muscle cells. The outer layer of the uterus, the serosa or perimetrium, is a thin layer of tissue made of epithelial cells that envelop the uterus The female reproductive organs. The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterine wall, consisting mainly of uterine smooth muscle cells (also called uterine myocytes), but also of supporting stromal and vascular tissue. Its main function is to induce uterine contractions. Gross Anatomy. The uterus is a pear-shaped organ located in the female pelvis between the urinary bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly (see the image below). The average dimensions are approximately 8 cm long, 5 cm across, and 4 cm thick, with an average volume between 80 and 200 mL. Human anatomy > Female Reproductive System > Uterine Wall. The wall of the uterus is composed of the perimetrium, the myometrium and the endometrium. The perimetrium is characterized by an outer layer of thin, visceral peritoneum. A broad ligament then runs and continues on to the uterine wall’s lateral segment. Smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle is an involuntary non-striated muscle. It is divided into two subgroups; the single-unit (unitary) and multiunit smooth muscle. Within single-unit cells, the whole bundle or sheet contracts as a syncytium.
Yes, the myometrium is the middle layer of the uterine wall, consisting mainly of uterine smooth muscle cells.