uterus
UK: ˈjuːtərəs | US: ˈjuːtərəs
n. the hollow, muscular organ in female mammals where offspring are conceived and gestated before birth.
The word "uterus" comes directly from Latin, where "uterus" meant "womb" or "belly." It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *udero-, meaning "abdomen" or "womb," which also gave rise to related terms in other languages (e.g., Greek "hystera"). The Latin suffix "-us" is a common masculine noun ending. Over time, the term retained its anatomical specificity in medical and biological contexts, referring exclusively to the reproductive organ in females.
The fetus develops inside the uterus during pregnancy.
Ultrasound imaging can reveal abnormalities in the uterus.
Certain diseases may require surgical removal of the uterus.
The uterus contracts during childbirth to facilitate delivery.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue grows outside the uterus.