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'''Myometrium''' consists of:
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{{review}}
* Non-striated smooth muscle fibres
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* Nerves, Blood and Lymph
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== Myometrial Contraction==
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*'''Myometrium''' consists of:
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** Non-striated smooth muscle fibres
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** Nerves, Blood and Lymph
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* Uterine contractions increase in both frequency and amplitude during labour. This causes an increase in '''uterine pressure''' from 10mmHg to 50-100mmHg.
 
* Uterine contractions increase in both frequency and amplitude during labour. This causes an increase in '''uterine pressure''' from 10mmHg to 50-100mmHg.
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== The Birth Canal ==
       
'''''Brachystasis'''''
 
'''''Brachystasis'''''
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* Myometrial cells contract and shorten, but do not regain their original length upon relaxation.
 
* Myometrial cells contract and shorten, but do not regain their original length upon relaxation.
* Reduces the uterine volume and causes retraction of the lower uterine segment and the cervix to create a '''birth canal'''.
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* Reduces the uterine volume and causes retraction of the [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|lower uterine segment]] and the [[Cervix - Anatomy & Physiology|cervix]] to create a '''birth canal'''.
 
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'''''Endocrine Control'''''
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Two hormones directly regulate myometrial contractions:
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* '''Oxytocin''': from the posterior pituitary gland (not the corpus luteum) lowers the excitation threshold of muscle cells to increase the likelihood of action potential firing.  Oxytocin also stimulates prostaglandin release.
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** The uterine Oxytocin receptor is a G protein coupled receptor with a Gαq subinit. Thus the signalling pathway is via a calcium second messenger.  Hence prostaglandin and oxytocin are complementory in action.
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* '''Prostaglandins''': Stimulate liberation of calcium from intracellular stores to cause the rise in intracellular calcium concentration required for myometrial contraction.
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'''''Retraction Ring'''''
 
'''''Retraction Ring'''''
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*The Uterus is divided into two segments:
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*The [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|Uterus]] is divided into two segments:
 
** Upper segment: contractile
 
** Upper segment: contractile
 
** Lower segment: passive
 
** Lower segment: passive
 
*The junction between these segments is the retraction ring.
 
*The junction between these segments is the retraction ring.
 
* Palpation of the retraction ring is used as an indicator of progression through labour.
 
* Palpation of the retraction ring is used as an indicator of progression through labour.
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== Endocrine Control ==
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[[Image:Myometrial Contraction endocrinology.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Schematic Diagram to show the Endocrine Influence on Myometrial Contraction,Copyright RVC 2008]]
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*Two hormones directly regulate myometrial contractions:
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** '''[[Pituitary_Gland_- Anatomy & Physiology#Oxytocin|Oxytocin]]''': from the posterior pituitary gland (not the corpus luteum) lowers the excitation threshold of muscle cells to increase the likelihood of action potential firing.  Oxytocin also stimulates prostaglandin release.
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*** The uterine Oxytocin receptor is a G protein coupled receptor with a Gαq subinit. Thus the signalling pathway is via a calcium second messenger.  Hence prostaglandin and oxytocin are complementory in action.
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** '''Prostaglandins''': Stimulate liberation of calcium from intracellular stores to cause the rise in intracellular calcium concentration required for myometrial contraction.
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[[Category:Parturition]]
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[[Category:Bullet Points]]
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