What is the Difference Between Bicornuate and Septate Uterus

The key difference between bicornuate and septate uterus is that bicornuate uterus occurs due to uterine malformation or Mullerian duct anomaly in which the uterus appears to be heart-shaped while septate uterus occurs due to uterine malformation or Mullerian duct anomaly in which a thin tissue known as septum runs down the middle of the uterus, dividing it into two separate parts.

The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located between the bladder and the rectum in women. After fertilization, the egg is implanted in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth. The uterine malformation is a type of female genital malformation. It is a result of the abnormal development of the Mullerian duct during embryogenesis. Bicornuate and septate uterus are two types of uterine malformations.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bicornuate Uterus
3. What is Septate Uterus
4. Similarities – Bicornuate and Septate Uterus
5. Bicornuate vs Septate Uterus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bicornuate vs Septate Uterus

What is Bicornuate Uterus?

Bicornuate uterus occurs due to uterine malformation or Mullerian duct anomaly in which the uterus has a heart shape. In this condition, the external shape of the uterus is abnormal. In this medical condition, there is a large indentation on the top of the uterus. This indentation causes the upper cavity to further divide into two cavities. Bicornuate uterus develops when the proximal part of the Mullerian ducts (paramesonephric ducts) does not fuse. However, in this condition, the distal portion that develops into the lower uterine segment, cervix, and upper vagina fuses as normal.

Most of the time, there are no noticeable symptoms in the bicornuate uterus. But sometimes, recurrent miscarriages, menstrual pain, and heavy bleeding may be present in women who are suffering from this condition. The diagnosis of the bicornuate uterus can be made through ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, and MRI.  Moreover, the treatment options for the bicornuate uterus include laparoscopic surgery, cervical cerclage, and c-section.

What is Septate Uterus?

Septate uterus or uterine septum is a form of congenital malformation in females where the uterine cavity is partitioned by a thin tissue known as the septum. The external shape of the uterus is normal. However, the cavity is divided by an extra wall of thin tissue called the septum. This thin tissue runs down the middle of the uterine cavity in this condition. If the septum completely divides the cavity, it is called a septate uterus. If the septum partially divides the cavity, it is known as sub septate uterus.

Septate uterus is a genetic abnormality. All uteri begin development as two tubes. These two tubes eventually fuse and become one uterus. In the case of the septate uterus, these two tubes do not fuse together effectively. The symptoms include miscarriages, premature birth, malpresentation, abnormalities in the renal system, and skeletal abnormalities. Septate uterus can be diagnosed through a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasonography, sonohysterography, MRI, and hysteroscopy. Furthermore, the septate uterus can be treated with a surgery known as hysteroscopic metroplasty.

What are the Similarities Between Bicornuate and Septate Uterus?

• Bicornuate and septate uterus are two types of uterine malformations.
• Both medical conditions are due to the Mullerian duct anomaly.
• In both conditions, often, there are no noticeable symptoms.
• Both conditions have a genetic link.
• They can be successfully treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Bicornuate and Septate Uterus?

Bicornuate uterus occurs due to uterine malformation or Mullerian duct anomaly in which the uterus appears to be heart-shaped, while septate uterus occurs due to uterine malformation or Mullerian duct anomaly in which a thin tissue known as septum runs down the middle of the uterus dividing uterus into two separate parts. So, this is the key difference between bicornuate and septate uterus. Furthermore, in the case of the bicornuate uterus, the external shape of the uterus is abnormal, but in the case of the septate uterus, the external shape of the uterus is normal.

The below infographic presents the differences between bicornuate and septate uterus in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Bicornuate vs Septate Uterus

The uterine malformation is due to abnormal development of the Mullerian ducts during the embryogenesis process. Bicornuate and septate uterus are two types of uterine malformations. Bicornuate uterus occurs due to Mullerian duct anomaly in which the uterus appears to be heart-shaped. Septate uterus occurs due to Mullerian duct anomaly in which a thin tissue known as septum runs down the middle of the uterus, dividing the uterus into two separate parts. So, this is the difference between bicornuate and septate uterus.

Reference:

1. Danielsson, Krissi. “A Bicornuate Uterus Can Sometimes Cause Complications during Pregnancy.” Verywell Family.
2. Brennan, Dan. “Septate Uterus: Causes and Treatment.” WebMD, WebMD, 12 Apr. 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Uterine malformation” By EternamenteAprendiz – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Illustration of a cross section of a septate uterus in humans reflecting an anomalous extension of the septum..” By Bkoh6576 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia