672 



THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 



uterine wall becomes flaccid and atrophied, or it may be hyperplastic 

 especially in the cervical portion. Ulceration of the mucous membrane, 

 especially of the cervix, may occur. There may be contraction or oblitera- 

 tion of the cervical canal. 



Fibrous hyperplasia of the cervix with ectasia of the Nabothian 

 glands and thickening and erosion or ulceratiou of the mucous membrane 

 is a frequent condition at the climacteric period (Fig. 426). Under these 

 conditions both the clinical manifestations and the general appearance of 

 the cervix on inspection often suggest the existence of cancer. 



Chronic endometritis may occur at any age, but is most frequent 

 after puberty, and is due to a great variety of conditions. It may occur 



FIG. 423. CHRONIC ENDOMETRITIS WITH THE FORMATION OF A THICK LAYER OF NEW-FORMED, TF.RY 



VASCULAR TISSUE OVER THE SURFACE OF THE Mucous MEMBRANE. 

 a, Uterine muscle tissue ; b, mucous membrane of uterus ; c, new-formed vascular tissue. 



in ill-nourished persons or in those suffering from exhausting diseases. 

 It may follow displacements and tumors of the uterus, subiuvolution, 

 injuries, etc. 



Croupous Endometritis. This form of inflammation is not very com- 

 mon. It occasionally occurs in the puerperal uterus, and in acute infec- 

 tious diseases. It sometimes involves the vulva, vagina, and Fallopian 

 tubes. It may coexist with croupous inflammation of the colon. 



Tuberculous Endometritis. This is rare and usually occurs as part of 

 tuberculous inflammation of the genito-urinary tract. A part or the 

 whole of the cavity of the uterus may be lined with a rough, yellowish 

 or gray, caseous mass, which may deeply involve the muscular walls of 

 the organ. At the edges of the ulcerating caseous areas there may be 



