VAGINA AND UTERUS 199 



dulae utriculares branched tubular glands. These are increased 

 in depth during pregnancy, and are most prominent in the lower 

 portion of the organ.) 



3. The epithelium, (a) The deeply stained layer, lining of 

 the vagina, cul-de-sac, and external os. (b) The wavy course 

 of a as it covers the irregularly formed and often imperfect pa- 

 pillae of the mucosa. (c) The lighter appearance of the lining 

 of the internal os. (d) Projection of the last into the glands. 

 (e) The sharp line of separation between the deeply stained 

 lining common to the vagina and the lighter lining of the uterus 

 at the external os (Fig. 124, F). 



4. The mucosa of the uterus. (There are no sharply denned 

 regions in the genito- urinary tract corresponding to the mucosa 

 and submucosa of typical mucous membranes. The arrangement 

 generally is, (1) an epithelial lining; (2) a subepithelial struc- 

 ture, consisting of a more or less prominent or abundant plexus 

 of capillaries supported by delicate connective tissue, and which 

 corresponds to the typical mucosa; (3) the muscular walls 

 proper, consisting of layers in different directions, frequently 

 irregularly disposed and seldom in distinct fasciculi.) 



5. The mucosa of the vagina (the surface of which is beset 

 with small papillae, and in which large veins are prominent) . 



6. The uterine and vaginal walls (consisting largely of 

 involuntary muscular fibrils, recognized by the elongated and 

 deeply stained nuclei, and containing numerous thick -walled ar- 

 teries and irregular lymph -spaces.) 



(H.) 



7. The uterine epithelium (Fig. 125). (a) That it consists 

 of a single layer of cells. (&) That the cells are columnar or 

 cylindrical, (c) The cells in transverse section are polygonal. 

 (d) They are ciliated. (If the section has been properly prepared 

 from uninjured tissue, the cilia will be seen without difficulty, 

 and especially in the depressions where they are somewhat pro- 

 tected.) (e) The cell-body and nucleus. (Note the elongated, 

 clear, free portion, and the frequent curving of the whole. Near 

 the attached extremities, which often appear pointed, note the 

 small, deeply stained nuclei.) (/) The large mucous crypts 

 which occur in the cervix. Retention of their secretion produces 

 the cysts which are known as the ovula Nabothi. (g) It is dif- 

 ficult to see the basement membrane. 



