348 



HUMAN UTERUS AND FETAL APPENDAGES. 



protoplasm and the nuclei becoming enlarged (Fig. 230). The cells lie separately 

 and almost completely fill the gland cavity. They are no longer cylindrical in 

 shape, but irregular. Their protoplasm is finely granular and stains rather lightly. 

 The nuclei are rounded, granular, and with sharp outlines. In somewhat older 

 stages one finds the cells, replaced by a granular material. The obvious interpreta- 

 tion of the appearances described is that the glandular epithelium is breaking down 

 and disintegrating, or, in other words, passing through a special form of degenera- 

 tion which is highly characteristic. In later stages some of the broken-down 



' FIG. 231. UTERUS ONE MONTH PREGNANT; PORTION OF THE COMPACT LAYER OF THE DECIDUA SEEN IN 



VERTICAL SECTION. 

 Coagl, Coagulum upon the surface. d,d f , Decidual cells. X 445 diams. 



material forms hyaloid rounded concretions, which, owing to their deep staining, are 

 somewhat conspicuous. The concretions usually include a number of spherical 

 vacuolcs. 



The formation of decidual cells has already begun' in the upper or compact 

 layer (Fig. 231). They are modified connective-tissue cells, which have grown in 

 size and altered their structure. Their bodies stain deeply- with eosin; the nuclei 

 are round, oval, slightly irregular in shape, coarsely granular, and sharp in outline. 

 The cells themselves, though irregular and variable in shape, are all more or less 

 provided with processes running off in various directions. Scattered between the 

 cells are many sections of the processes. Occasionally it may be seen that two 



