Endometrium

The uterine lining; the cells that line the uterus (the womb); the inner layer of the uterus. This tissue is shed monthly in response to the hormonal changes of the menstrual period. The endometrium then grows back and slowly gets thicker and thicker until the next period when it is once again sloughed off.

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The mucous membrane comprising the inner layer of the uterine wall; it consists of a simple columnar epithelium and a lamina propria that contains simple tubular uterine glands. The structure, thickness, and state of the e. undergo marked change with the menstrual cycle. SYN: tunica mucosa uteri [TA]. [endo- + G. metra, uterus]

- Swiss cheese e. SYN: simple endometrial hyperplasia.

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en·do·me·tri·um -'mē-trē-əm n, pl -tria -trē-ə the mucous membrane lining the uterus that is composed of three layers see stratum basale, stratum compactum, stratum spongiosum

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n.

the mucous membrane lining the uterus, which becomes progressively thicker and more glandular and has an increased blood supply in the latter part of the menstrual cycle. This prepares the endometrium for implantation of the embryo, but if this does not occur much of the endometrium breaks down and is lost in menstruation. If pregnancy is established the endometrium becomes the decidua, which is shed after birth.

• endometrial adj.

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en·do·me·tri·um (en″do-meґtre-əm) pl. endomeґtria [L., from endo- + metra] TA alternative for tunica mucosa uteri. endometrial adj