HISTOLOGY AND FINE STRUCTURE OF THE ADULT HUMAN CERVIX UTERI

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Abstract
The normal cervix in 2 non-pregnant and 1 pregnant woman is described by light and electron microscopy. The changes in the epithelium of the portio externa that are associated with the keratinization and desquamation of the cells include the appearance of tonofibrils, vacuoles containing electron dense material, a gradual loss of mitochondria and nuclear pycnosis. Particles of ribonucleoprotein (?) are numerous in the basal layers. Glycogen is abundant in the superficial layers. The mucification of the endocervical epithelium, which is enhanced in pregnancy, is described and illustrated. The mucus appears to accumulate inside ergastoplasmic sacs. The droplets coalesce in the apical part of the cells and the mucus is discharged by a breakdown of the septa between the droplets. Certain biological problems of the cervix arc discussed, such as the "squamous metaplasia" of the endocervical epithelium, the so-called "reserve cells" which were not identified in the paper, and the problem of estrogenic stimulation.