<P> A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus which may be carried out for a number of reasons including the ridding of tumours both benign and malignant . A complete hysterectomy involves the removal of the body, fundus, and cervix of the uterus . A partial hysterectomy may just involve the removal of the uterine body while leaving the cervix intact . It is the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure . </P> <P> During pregnancy the growth rate of the fetus can be assessed by measuring the fundal height . </P> <P> Some pathological states include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Prolapse of the uterus </Li> <Li> Carcinoma of the cervix--malignant neoplasm </Li> <Li> Carcinoma of the uterus--malignant neoplasm </Li> <Li> Fibroids--benign neoplasms </Li> <Li> Adenomyosis--ectopic growth of endometrial tissue within the myometrium </Li> <Li> Endometritis, infection at the uterine cavity . </Li> <Li> Pyometra--infection of the uterus, most commonly seen in dogs </Li> <Li> Uterine malformations mainly congenital malformations including Uterine Didelphys, bicornuate uterus and septate uterus . It also includes congenital absence of the uterus Rokitansky syndrome </Li> <Li> Asherman's syndrome, also known as intrauterine adhesions occurs when the basal layer of the endometrium is damaged by instrumentation (e.g. D&C) or infection (e.g. endometrial tuberculosis) resulting in endometrial scarring followed by adhesion formation which partially or completely obliterates the uterine cavity . </Li> <Li> Hematometra, which is accumulation of blood within the uterus . </Li> </Ul>

Which of the following is the vascular organ that links the fetus to the mother's uterus