MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE MUSCULAR LAYER OF THE UTERUS IN WOMEN OF MIDDLE REPRODUCTIVE AGE
Keywords:
myometrium; smooth muscle cells; junctional zone; uterine morphology; reproductive age; extracellular matrix; hormonal receptors; adenomyosis.Abstract
The myometrium - the muscular wall of the uterus is a structurally complex organ whose morphological organization is central to female reproductive function. In women of middle reproductive age (25–40 years), the myometrium undergoes dynamic structural changes under the influence of hormonal, cellular, and extracellular matrix (ECM) factors. This review synthesizes current evidence on the histological layering of the myometrium, the cellular composition and ultrastructure of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), the organization of the junctional zone (JZ), the role of the ECM, vascularization, innervation, and hormonal receptor distribution. A comprehensive understanding of myometrial morphology is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of uterine disorders including adenomyosis, leiomyoma, and infertility. Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics and high-resolution imaging have substantially refined our understanding of myometrial architecture and cellular heterogeneity.
