Final answer:
The uterus is a muscular organ with size varying by age and hormonal status, and its normal sonographic appearance can differ before puberty, after puberty, and postmenopause. Two pathologic conditions include fibroids, appearing as hypoechoic masses, and endometrial cancer, showing as a thickened endometrium. The Fallopian tubes are crucial for egg transport and fertilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The normal sonographic appearance of the uterus varies based on the age and hormonal status of the individual. In infants and prepubescent females, the uterus is small with an average length of around 3.5 cm; once puberty is reached, it grows to an average size of approximately 5-8 cm in length (7 cm in a non-pregnant state) and 5 cm in width. In postmenopausal women, the uterus often shrinks due to the decrease in estrogen levels, with normal measurements being smaller than in the reproductive years. Two pathological conditions associated with the uterus include fibroids and endometrial cancer. Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterine muscle and may be described sonographically as well-defined, heterogeneous hypoechoic masses within the myometrium. A pertinent patient history for fibroids may include abnormal uterine bleeding or pelvic pain. Endometrial cancer's sonographic appearance can show a thickened, irregular endometrium, and the patient history may include postmenopausal bleeding or a history of chronic anovulation leading to prolonged estrogen stimulation without progesterone opposition.
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus that changes during the menstrual cycle. The Fallopian tubes play a critical role in transporting an egg from the ovaries to the uterus; if an egg is fertilized, it often occurs within a Fallopian tube before the embryo travels to the uterus for implantation.