[The cervical cycle as shown on the example of morphological examinations in pregnancy with special reference to subcylindrical vacuolization].

Abstract

Cyclic alterations of the endometrium are known for certain, but similar processes of the mucous membrane of the uterine cervix are vague. In pregancy there is a considerable increase in secretion. The epithelium of surface and glands becomes stratified and the nuclei of cylindrical epithelial cells withdraw from the base of the cells and often originate retronuclear vacuols. From these vacuols one has to distinguish so-called subcylindrical vacuols which only appear during pregnancy. They are seen between epithelium and basal membrane. Electron microscopical investigations show the vacuols lined partly by atrophical partly bysecretory cylindrical cells. Histochemically the contents of the vacuols are similar to the cytoplasm of cylindrical cells and the contents of glands. These alterations of the cervical mucous membrane are dependent on hormonal stimulation and in conclusion it must be possible to demonstrate the hormonal situation andits disturbances by investigations of the mucous membrane of the cervix uteri.