Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common gynecological benign disease occurring in middle‑
aged and elderly females. Its incidence increases every year. To date, the majority of studies …

During pregnancy, the female reproductive organs and pelvic structures undergo dramatic
changes in geometry, anatomical position, and function to accommodate the growing fetus …

A bstract The cervix undergoes rapid and dramatic shifts in collagen and elastic fiber
structure to achieve its disparate physiological roles of competence during pregnancy and …

Pelvic organ prolapse is characterized as the descent of the pelvic organs into the vaginal
canal. In the USA, there is a 12% lifetime risk for requiring surgical intervention. Although …

Smooth muscle cells contribute to the mechanical function of various soft tissues, however,
their contribution to the viscoelastic response when subjected to multiaxial loading remains …

The dural venous sinuses play an integral role in draining venous blood from the cranial
cavity. As a result of the sinuses anatomical location, they are of significant importance when …

The vagina plays a critical role in supporting the pelvic organs and loss of support leads to
pelvic organ prolapse. It is unknown what microstructural changes influence prolapse …

Smooth muscle fibers within the vagina, as well as the nerve fibers that contribute to their
control mechanisms, are important for the maintenance and alteration of vaginal length and …

Elastic fiber assembly is coordinated in part by fibulin-5, a matricellular protein. When fibulin-
5 is not available to guide elastogenesis, elastin forms into disconnected globules instead of …

Advanced maternal age during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of vaginal
tearing during delivery and maladaptive postpartum healing. Although the underlying …