Flexion is the bending of the uterus on itself, while version is the displacement of the entire organ forwards or backwards.

In flexions the bend takes place at a level corresponding with the os internum, so that the cervix is in one plane and the body of the uterus in another. The reason of this is that the uterus is specially fixed at this level by its peritoneal attachments, the body of the uterus being specially movable. Flexions are often the result of adhesions due to perimetritis, these adhesions dragging the organ backwards or forwards, and tending to fix it. Abnormal looseness of the organ, especially after delivery, renders it more liable to bend. When the flexion has become habitual there is apt to be atrophy in the concavity, which renders it difficult to remedy the displacement. The flexions are divisible into the two forms - Anteflexion and Retroflexion.

In versions the uterus lies more horizontally than usual, the os projecting in one direction and the fundus in the opposite. They occur from similar causes to those which produce flexions. They are similarly divided into Anteversions and Retroversions.

These flexions and versions sometimes produce serious results in the uterus itself. It has been mentioned above that, in the concavity of the bend, the uterine tissue frequently wastes and becomes less able to retain the uterus in the upright position. Then the bend, if at all sharp, compresses the vessels, and may lead to a chronic congestion, by and by resulting in hypertrophy. Further, the curve may obstruct the canal of the cervix, thus leading to dysmenorrhea. The flexions and versions not infrequently predispose to prolapse. Again, the fundus of the uterus projected backwards or forwards is apt to irritate the rectum or bladder and so induce repeated straining efforts which tend to force the uterus down.