The perimetrium (or serous coat of uterus) is the outer
serosal layer of the
uterus
The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', : uteri or uteruses) or womb () is the hollow organ, organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans, that accommodates the embryonic development, embryonic and prenatal development, f ...
, derived from the
peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesotheli ...
overlying the
uterine fundus, and can be considered a
visceral peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothel ...
. It consists of a superficial layer of
mesothelium
The mesothelium is a membrane composed of simple squamous epithelium, simple squamous epithelial cells of mesodermal origin, which forms the lining of several body cavities: the pleura (pleural cavity around the lungs), peritoneum (abdominopelvic ...
, and a thin layer of
loose connective tissue
Loose connective tissue, also known as areolar tissue, is a cellular connective tissue with thin and relatively sparse collagen fibers. They have a semi-fluid matrix with lesser proportions of fibers. Its ground substance occupies more vol ...
beneath it.
Anteriorly, the perimetrium covers the fundus and upper body of the uterus until it meets the superoposterior surface of the adjacent
urinary bladder
The bladder () is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the Kidney (vertebrates), kidneys. In placental mammals, urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra during urination. In humans, the ...
, resulting in a concave fold of peritoneum called the ''
vesicouterine pouch''. Posteriorly, the perimetrium covers the entire surface of the uterus deep down to the
cervix
The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...
, where it then folds back onto the adjacent
rectum
The rectum (: rectums or recta) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. Before expulsion through the anus or cloaca, the rectum stores the feces temporarily. The adult ...
to form the ''
rectouterine pouch
The rectouterine pouch (rectovaginal pouch, pouch of Douglas or cul-de-sac) is the extension of the peritoneum into the space between the posterior wall of the uterus and the rectum in the human female.
Structure
In women, the rectouterine pouch ...
'', the lowest gutter of the
peritoneal cavity. Laterally, the perimetrium blends into the
serosae of the
broad ligaments.
References
External links
* - "The Female Pelvis: The uterus"
* - "Mammal, uterus (LM, Low)"
Mammal female reproductive system
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