Menstrual Cycle - Histology
Introduction
This page presents images from vaginal smears and uterine endometrium dilatation and curettage[1] samples during different phases of the human menstrual cycle.
Histology Links: stains | fixatives | artifacts | menstrual histology | placenta histology | heart histology | liver histology | Pancreas | Gall Bladder | Colon | Renal | Respiratory Histology | Bone | Category:Histology | UNSW Histology |
Historic Histology Textbooks: 1941 Histology] | 1944 Oral Histology |
Phase | Days (range) | Smear | Smear Description | Uterine Endometrium (D&C) |
Menstrual | 1 - 4 | Click on image to see full size. | Both stratum corneum (red) and stratum spinosum (blue) epithelial cells will mostly blood.
Leukocytes and bacteria may also be present. |
|
Early Proliferative | 5 - 9 | Mainly large and small basophilic (blue) stratum spinosum cells. | ||
Mid Proliferative | 9 - 13 | Stratum spinosum (blue) increase in size.
Dark precipate outside cells are bacteria. |
||
Late Proliferative, Ovulatory | 13-14 | mainly stratum corneum (red) which are large and flat.
Appear due to high estrogen levels. |
||
Secretory | 15 - 22 | stratum spinosum cells (blue) which are folded or with curled edges.
Appear immediately after ovulation due to increase in progesterone. Leukocytes (small black cells) becoming more numerous. |
||
Late Secretory, (Ischemic) Premenstrual | 23 - 28 | stratum spinosum cells (blue) mainly with a few stratum corneum cells (red).
Clustering of cells occurs at this stage. Both leukocytes and bacteria are prevelant. |
Human vaginal smear histology images in sequence: early proliferative | mid-proliferative | late proliferative | secretory | late secretory
Human Uterus (D and C histology images) in sequence: menstrual | mid-proliferative | late proliferative | secretory | late secretory
See also Uterus Development
Abnormalities
Bacterial Vaginosis
- The normal vaginal flora (lactobacillus morphotypes) is replaced by a mixed microbial flora consisting of anaerobes and Gardnerella vaginalis.
- Originally described by Gardner and Dukes (1955).[2]
- clinical features - malodorous, thin homogeneous vaginal discharge with elevated vaginal pH above 4.5.
References
Search Pubmed
Search Pubmed Now: Menstrual Cycle Histology | uterine histology | vaginal smear | pap smear |
External Links
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, March 28) Embryology Menstrual Cycle - Histology. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Menstrual_Cycle_-_Histology
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G