THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 671 



brane by curetting to decide whether the lesion be a simple glandular 

 hyperplasia or adenoma. In fact glandular hyperplasia may apparently 

 lead to so excessive and unrestrained a growth of glandular structures in 



FIG, 423. CHRONIC ENDOMETRITIS, SHOWING GLANDULAR HYPERPLASIA OF THE Mucous MEMBRANE. 

 The stroma of the mucosa is increased in amount and is dense and fibrous in texture. 



the mucous membrane as to justify the designation adenoma or malignant 

 adenomatows liyperplasia. 



Sometimes a thick layer of new-formed, very vascular tissue develops 

 over the surface of the mucous membrane, largely covering in the uterine 

 glands (Fig. 425). From the decomposition of extra vasated blood in 

 the mucous membrane the latter may be mottled with brown or black. 

 The glandular elements of the mucosa may be partially or almost entirely 

 destroyed. Occasionally the glands are dilated, forming numerous small 

 cysts which may project from the surface. The papillae of the cervix 

 may be hypertrophied, the mucous follicles swollen and their outlets ob- 

 structed, leading to the formation of the so-called ovula Nabothi. The 



FIG. 424. CHRONIC ENDOMETRITIS. 



Showing glandular hyperplasia of the mucous membrane. The stroma of the mucosa la increased in 

 amount and is loose in texture. The glands are contorted. 



