Introduction
This page presents images from vaginal smears and uterine endometrium samples during different phases of the human menstrual cycle.
Links: Menstrual Cycle
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
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, April 25) Embryology Menstrual Cycle - Histology. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Menstrual_Cycle_-_Histology
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- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G