bipartite uterus

biology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "bipartite" in biology and medicine generally means "divided into two parts."1

In the context of the female reproductive system, a bipartite uterus is a type of uterus found in carnivores. In this structure, the uterine horns are largely separate but connect to the vagina through a single cervix. This is distinct from other uterine structures like the duplex uterus (completely separated horns in rodents and rabbits) or the bicornate uterus (partially fused horns in ungulates).2

The word "bipartite" can also refer to a bipartite life cycle, where an organism exists in two distinct forms during its life.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

mammal
The female tract
Carnivores have a bipartite uterus, in which the horns are largely separate but enter the vagina by a single cervix. In the bicornate uterus, typical of many ungulates, the horns are distinct for less than half their length; the lower part of the uterus is a common chamber,…
Read More
Carnivores have a bipartite uterus, in which the horns are largely separate but enter the vagina by a single cervix. In the bicornate uterus, typical of many ungulates, the horns are distinct for less than half their length; the lower part of the uterus is a common chamber,…
Read More