Ectocervix, Cervix and Vagina -- The cervix is the narrow portion of the uterus protruding down in to the upper vagina.

Review a transversely section specimen of the uterine cervix showing the epithelium of the cervix or ectocervix. The plane of the section is as shown in the diagram below.

At one end of the section, locate the narrow slit lined mainly by simple columnar cells. This space is an endocervical gland. The opposite end of the section is covered by the stratified squamous epithelium of the ectocervix, similar to that of the vagina. Note that most of the tissue in the uterine cervix is fibrous (myometrial) tissue with a relatively small amount of smooth muscle but many vascular sinuses.

Clinical note: The Pap test is named after the New York gynecologist George Papanicolaou, M.D., who introduced this diagnostic procedure in 1928.

The breast is next.