<P> The uterus (from Latin "uterus", plural uteri) or womb is a major female hormone - responsive secondary sex organ of the reproductive system in humans and most other mammals . In the human, the lower end of the uterus, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the upper end, the fundus, is connected to the fallopian tubes . It is within the uterus that the fetus develops during gestation . In the human embryo, the uterus develops from the paramesonephric ducts which fuse into the single organ known as a simplex uterus . The uterus has different forms in many other animals and in some it exists as two separate uteri known as a duplex uterus . </P> <P> In English, the term uterus is used consistently within the medical and related professions, while the Germanic - derived term womb is also commonly used in everyday contexts . </P> <P> The uterus is located within the pelvic region immediately behind and almost overlying the bladder, and in front of the sigmoid colon . The human uterus is pear - shaped and about 7.6 cm (3.0 in) long, 4.5 cm (1.8 in) broad (side to side), and 3.0 cm (1.2 in) thick . A typical adult uterus weighs about 60 grams . The uterus can be divided anatomically into four regions: The fundus--the uppermost portion of the uterus, the corpus (body), the cervix and the cervical canal . The cervix protrudes into the vagina . The uterus is held in position within the pelvis by ligaments, which are called endopelvic fascia . These ligaments include the pubocervical, transverse cervical ligaments or cardinal ligaments, and the uterosacral ligaments . It is covered by a sheet - like fold of peritoneum, the broad ligament . </P> <P> From outside to inside, regions of the uterus include: </P>

Where is the uterus located in the female body