Which fibroid type is located within the muscular wall of the uterus?

Which fibroid type is located within the muscular wall of the uterus?

• A. Intramural leiomyoma
• B. Subserosal leiomyoma
• C. Submucosal leiomyoma
• D. Pedunculated fibroid

Answer: (A)

Fibroids are classified by where they grow in the uterus. The muscular wall is the myometrium, so a fibroid that lies within that wall is called an intramural leiomyoma. This intramural location is the hallmark feature, and such fibroids are common and can enlarge the uterus by expanding the wall from inside. In contrast, a subserosal fibroid grows toward the outer surface of the uterus under the serosa; a submucosal fibroid grows into the uterine cavity just beneath the endometrium and can distort the cavity; a pedunculated fibroid is attached by a stalk and can be either subserosal or submucosal, but the defining trait is the stalk, not its wall location.

Fibroids are classified by where they grow in the uterus. The muscular wall is the myometrium, so a fibroid that lies within that wall is called an intramural leiomyoma. This intramural location is the hallmark feature, and such fibroids are common and can enlarge the uterus by expanding the wall from inside.

In contrast, a subserosal fibroid grows toward the outer surface of the uterus under the serosa; a submucosal fibroid grows into the uterine cavity just beneath the endometrium and can distort the cavity; a pedunculated fibroid is attached by a stalk and can be either subserosal or submucosal, but the defining trait is the stalk, not its wall location.