What is the uterus and its functions?
The uterus, also known as the womb, is a pear-shaped muscular organ in which the fertilized egg grows and develops into a fetus. Normally, the uterus is about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. During pregnancy, it stretches and grows with the fetus. In pregnant women, the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, nourishes the fetus. In women who are not pregnant, the lining is shed about once a month if an egg is not fertilized. The shedding is called menstruation.
