endometrium

American  

[en-doh-mee-tree-uhm] / ˌɛn doʊˈmi tri əm /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

endometria

1. the mucous membrane lining the uterus.

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endometrium British  

/ ˌɛndəʊˈmiːtrɪəm /

noun

1. the mucous membrane that lines the uterus

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endometrium Scientific  

/ ĕn′dō-mē′trē-əm /

plural

endometria

1. The mucous membrane that lines the uterus. A fertilized egg must embed itself in the endometrium in order to develop into an embryo.

2. See more at menstrual cycle

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Other Word Forms

• endometrial adjective

Etymology

Origin of endometrium

1880–85; endo- + New Latin -metrium < Greek mḗtr ( ā ) womb + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Interactions between the cells of the endometrium and the cells of the placenta are critical to whether a pregnancy is successful.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024

The endometrium is a membrane that lines the uterus and thickens every month to support embryo implantation.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

Adenomyosis, when the endometrium, womb lining, grows within the womb's muscular wall, can cause:

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2023

This ensures adequate levels of progesterone that will maintain the endometrium of the uterus for the support of the developing embryo.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

It is the endometrium that is principally concerned in menstruation—that is, it is from it that the monthly discharge of blood comes.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.