Changes

'''Myometrium''' consists of:

* Non-striated smooth muscle fibres

 

* Nerves, Blood and Lymph

*'''Myometrium''' consists of:

** Non-striated smooth muscle fibres

** Nerves, Blood and Lymph

* 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.

Two hormones directly regulate myometrial contractions:  

* '''[[Endocrine_System_-_Pituitary_Gland_-_Anatomy_%26_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.

 

** 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.

* '''Prostaglandins''': Stimulate liberation of calcium from intracellular stores to cause the rise in intracellular calcium concentration required for myometrial contraction.

 

 

*Two hormones directly regulate myometrial contractions:  

** '''[[Endocrine_System_-_Pituitary_Gland_-_Anatomy_%26_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.

*** 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.

** '''Prostaglandins''': Stimulate liberation of calcium from intracellular stores to cause the rise in intracellular calcium concentration required for myometrial contraction.