Pregnant Woman at Week 17 of Gestation, Lateral View (Brown Skin)

Description

The maternal torso is shown in profile with the abdominal wall rendered semi-transparent, exposing the gravid uterus occupying the lower abdomen and rising toward the level of the umbilicus. Inside, a fetus at approximately 17 weeks of gestation lies in a curled attitude with the head directed inferiorly, limbs flexed across the trunk, and the umbilical cord looping from the ventral abdominal wall toward the placental attachment on the uterine wall. Beneath and behind the uterus, the urinary bladder sits anteriorly against the pubic symphysis region and the rectum descends toward the sacral outline, while loops of small intestine and colon are displaced superiorly and posteriorly by the enlarging uterus. By the second trimester the uterus has emerged from the pelvis into the abdominal cavity, and this lateral perspective makes the resulting displacement of the bladder, bowel and abdominal contents immediately legible. It is the anatomy behind common mid-pregnancy complaints such as urinary frequency, constipation and low back strain from the shifted centre of gravity, and it underpins clinical assessment of fundal height. The same view supports discussion of fetal lie and presentation, placental position, and the timing of the mid-trimester anomaly scan, when fetal biometry and cord insertion are routinely evaluated. The image suits obstetric and midwifery teaching sets, antenatal class handouts and week-by-week pregnancy series in patient-facing apps and print material, where a consistent maternal figure across gestational weeks helps learners track uterine growth. It also serves textbook and journal figures on maternal physiology, ultrasound teaching adjuncts and health communication produced by clinics, publishers and medical device companies. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.