Findings

At higher power, the squamocolumnar junction is evident. Note the sharp transition between the stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium of the exocervix and the simple columnar epithelium of the endocervix.

Comment

Squamocolumnar junctions are often the sites of metaplasia. In the cervix, it is the site of cervical cancer, which can be detected by the Papanicolaou or "Pap smear" technique.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

High-power light microscopy

Specimen

Squamocolumnar junction

Image Credit

V. Eroschenko, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
WAMI Medical Program
University of Idaho