Inherent motility patterns and response characteristics of the nonpregnant human uterus

Abstract

WIT H IN A FEW YEAR s after Schatz’ published his epochal studies of human uterine activity in pregnancy as recorded through an intrauterine estraovular bag, Heinricius” proposed a modification of the method to permit recording of activity of the nonpregnant uterus in viva through the use of a thin rubber bag. In this country, the first published record of uterine activity was by Iiucker.” The work of Knaus,“, .‘, starting in 1929. marked the beginning of a tremendous expansion of this field of study. Knaus’ original work, on which he based his primary findings conccrninz uterine activity at the various phases of the cycle and the response to pituitrin, was carried out by the injection of radiocontrast medium into the uterus through a metal cannula fitted with a rubber retaining tip, according to the standard method for hysterosalpinLyography. He then recorded changes in intrauterine prcssure through the end of the metal catheter. By 1933 he had changed to the balloon recordinz technique. A complete re\Gw of methods previously