Human uterine vascular structures in normal and diseased states

Martha Hickey, Ian Fraser, Ian S. Fraser
Microscopy research and technique · 2003 · vol. 60(4) , pp. 377–389 · doi:10.1002/jemt.10276 · PMID:12567395 · W2065748843
review OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 12 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review discusses normal uterine vascular anatomy and physiology and how its alteration contributes to menstrual bleeding disorders, including impacts of progestogens and conditions like fibroids and adenomyosis.

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Abstract

Menstrual bleeding disorders are one of the most common problems presenting to the gynaecologist. There is increasing evidence that alterations in human uterine vascular structures are associated with spontaneous and sex steroid-induced changes in menstrual bleeding patterns. This article will discuss the normal anatomy and physiology of uterine vascular growth, breakdown, and repair and will indicate where altered anatomy and function may contribute to menstrual disorder. In particular, impact of low-dose progestogens on the endometrial vasculature and endometrial vascular fragility will be discussed. Disturbances of myometrial vascular growth and remodeling, including fibroids, adenomyosis, implantation, and arterio-venous malformations will also be addressed.

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Condition tags

adenomyosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometrium Menstruation Menstruation Disturbances Uterine Diseases Uterus Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Menstruation Menstruation Disturbances Menstruation Disturbances Microscopy, Electron Neovascularization, Pathologic Neovascularization, Physiologic Uterine Diseases Uterine Diseases Uterus Uterus

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (12)

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europepmc
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License: CC0 · commercial use OK