Cytology of the Normal Endometrium – Cycling and Postmenopausal

Cytology of the Normal Endometrium – Cycling and Postmenopausal 32 6.1. Histology of the Endometrium The uterine corpus is composed of a modified mucosa known as the endometrium, a fibromuscular wall called the myometrium, and a serosal lining. The uterine mucosa can be divided into two regions: the mucosa of the lower uterine segment (LUS) (isthmus) and the mucosa of the corpus proper (fig. 6.1). The mucosa of the LUS, located between the endocervix and endometrium, is thinner

than that of the fundus and its glands respond only slightly to hormonal stimulation. There is a gradual morphologic transition from the isthmic mucosa to the endocervical mucosa. During the reproductive years the endometrium of the cor- pus proper undergoes regular cyclic changes as a response to the release of the ovarian hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The endometrium consists of simple tubular glands set in a cellular vascular stroma. It is composed of a thin basal layer Chapter 6 Cytology of the Normal Endometrium – Cycling and Postmenopausal Fig. 6.1. Histology of endometrium. Cell block: HE, 40H11003. Fig. 6.2. Functional layer of endometrium glands and stroma. Cell block: HE, 40H11003. (basalis), which abuts on the myometrium, and a functional layer on top of the basalis. The functional layer is highly responsive to hormonal ovarian influence in contrast to the basalis. The functional endometrium consists of a superficial layer with few glands and abundant stroma (the compacta), and a deep layer that has many glands and relatively less stroma (the spongiosa) (fig. 6.2). The structure and activity of a functional endometrium reflect the pattern of ovarian hormone secretion. The histo- logic types of glandular cells are columnar or cuboid. The endometrium...

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