Findings

In this survey image of the uterus, the endometrial layer that lines the uterine cavity is seen on top of the thick layer of smooth muscle cells called myometrium. The endometrium consists of a lighter-staining functional layer (stratum functionalis), and a darker-staining basal layer (stratum basalis).

Comment

Though not shown in the image above, the uterine wall consists of three layers. The innermost, facing the uterine cavity, is the glandular endometrium. The middle layer is a thick smooth muscle myometrium that is surrounded by the thin visceral epimetrium (serosa), the outer layer.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

Low-power light microscopy

Specimen

Uterus

Image Credit

Katsumi M. Miyai, M.D., Ph.D
Department of Pathology
School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego