Findings

In this image, the vaginal mucosa is shown. Note the stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium and subjacent lamina propria with several connective tissue papillae projecting into the undersurface of the epithelium.

Comment

The thick stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium that lines and protects the vaginal canal does not fully keratinize in human. The underlying connective tissue is free of glands.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

Low-power light microscopy

Specimen

Vagina

Image Credit

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