Observation of Uterine Anatomical Variations

Abstract

The uterus, along with the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and vagina, is part of the female internal reproductive organs. During the embryonic stage, it develops from the Müllerian ducts. Müllerian malformations are a group of gynecological conditions that can exhibit varying symptoms. According to the classification by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, these malformations are categorized into 7 types: Hypoplasia and Agenesis (I), Unicornuate Uterus (II), Didelphic Uterus (III), Septate Uterus (IV), Bicornuate Uterus (V), Arcuate Uterus (VI), and DES (diethylstilbestrol)-related (VII). Our objective at the Department of Normal Anatomy at the National University of Córdoba was to observe and describe the morphology of the uterus in the embryonic stage and compare it with literature on fully developed uteri.

We analized the uterus from 10 female fetuses, weighing up to 500 grams, ranging from 12 to 24 weeks of gestation, provided by the Misericordia Hospital in Córdoba. They were fixed in 10% formalin, and microdissection tools were used to access the pelvic area.

Out of the 10 fetuses studied, we found two anatomical variations: partial and complete bicornuate uteri. We discovered that 50% were partial bicornuate, 10% were complete bicornuate, and 40% were considered normal, characterized by a convex external contour at the upper part or fundus and an appropriate cavity. It's worth noting that none of the previously mentioned anatomical variations were detected, indicating a 50% occurrence of anatomical variations in the studied uteri, disregarding their developmental stage.

All dissected fetuses exhibited normal uterine development. By the end of the 12th week, they should have transitioned from a concave upper part. Therefore, fetuses displaying a different formation after the fetal period are more likely to result in abnormal uteri at birth.