Reading: RR&K, Chapter 22
SLIDE 91a uterus, proliferative (H&E)
(RR&K p723, Fig.2; p699, Fig.22.22)
The uterine wall consists of an endometrium, a myometrium, and a perimetrium (serosa). Locate the uterine glands within the endometrium along one edge of the section. The appearance of the glands suggests that this uterus is in the proliferative phase. The endometrium contains two regions: stratum functionalis (layer closest to the lumen) and stratum basalis (layer closest to the myometrium). However, these regions are difficult to identify in the proliferative or secretory uterus. The epithelium lining the glands is simple columnar. Examine the stroma around the glands and identify the spiral arteries. The myometrium consists of multiple layers of smooth muscle in various orientations. Large blood vessels can be found deep within the myometrium. Review the morphology of muscle and connective tissue and be able to distinguish cross and longitudinal sections of smooth muscle from connective tissue.
Check list for SLIDE 91a:
SLIDE 91d uterus, secretory (H&E)
(RR&K p725, Fig. 1,2; p699, Fig.22.23)
The morphology of the wall of the secretory uterus is similar to the proliferative uterus except that the appearance of the glands are different. The glands have a serrated appearance which is typical of the secretory phase. The majority of the endometrium in this phase is the stratum functionalis. Compare the stroma and spiral arteries to that seen in SLIDE 91a and SLIDE 91c. Note the histological signs of edema. The myometrium is unchanged during the cyclic changes of the endometrium. The perimetrium (serosa) is not present.
Check list for SLIDE 91d: 
SLIDE 91c uterus, menstrual (H&E)
This slide represents sagittal section through the fundus of the uterus which is undergoing menstruation. Once again, locate the endometrium, the myometrium and the perimetrium. During this faze of the menstrual cycle, the stratum functionalis of the endometrium is in the process of being sloughed off. Only the stratum basalis remains intact. Observe the patches of stratum functionalis, which were separated from stratum basalis. The stroma of the uterus is infiltrated with blood because of the breakdown of the spiral arteries. You may notice on your slide several vessels opening directly into the stroma of the stratum basalis and the uterine cavity. Observe the contents of uterine discharge (thorned simple columnar epithelium, and blood). The myometrium remains unchanged during menstruation. Review the myometrium and distinguish cross and longitudinal sections of smooth muscle from connective tissue. Finally, examine the perimetrium (serosa).
Check list for SLIDE 91c: 
SLIDE 92a cervix, human (H&E) (RR&K p727, Fig.1,2,3,4,5; p696, Fig.22.18)
Orient yourself on this slide by using the reversed ocular. Locate the thick mucosa and the myometrium.
The mucosa consists of epithelium, glands and stroma. Note the changes in the surface epithelium as you move from the endocervix (cervical canal) to exocervix (vaginal part of the cervix). Study this slide with both the low and high power objectives. The exocervix is lined by a stratified squamous epithelium consisting of several cell layers. Typical of a stratified squamous epithelium, the cells change in their shape and nuclear morphology as one moves from the base of the epithelium to its surface. Is the surface epithelium keratinized? As you move to the endocervix the epithelium becomes simple columnar epithelium.
Find the squamocolumnar junction between simple columnar epithelium (cervical mucosa) and stratified squamous epithelium. Throughout the reproductive years, there is a gradual replacement of the simple columnar epithelium by the stratified squamous epithelium. The area where this process is occurring is known as the transformation zone. Notice branched glands within the cervical mucosa, in the endocervix. Accumulation of lymphatic cells in the cervix appear to be a part of the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) which secrete mainly immunoglobulin A (IgA). Scattered plasma cells are also normal in the cervix. In the exocervix, occasionally you can see Nabothian cysts. Try to distinguish bundles of smooth muscles from the fibrous connective tissue in the myometrium.
Check list for SLIDE 92a:
SLIDE 92d placenta, human (H&E)
(RR&K p729, Fig. 1,2; p731, Fig. 1)
Orient yourself on this slide using a reversed ocular. Identify the amnion, chorionic plate, villi, intervillous space, and basal plate. Amnion is composed of simple cuboidal epithelium (part of which may be pulled off) and its underlying connective tissue. The chorionic plate is a layer of dense connective tissue, which is normally fused with connective tissue from the amnion (see artificial separation on your slide) and supports the branches of umbilical arteries and veins. Cross sections of villi cover most of the area of this slide. The syncytiotrophoblast is a multinucleated continuous layer at the surface of each villus. This layer consists of fused cells with no intercellular spaces. Cytotrophoblast cells form a discontinuous layer beneath the syncytiotrophoblast. The core of the villus contains the fetal sinusoidal capillaries (filled with blood) and two major cell types: fibroblasts and Hofbauer cells (tissue macrophages, which may be hard to identify on your preparation). The intervillous spaces contain the maternal blood.
The basal plate represents the maternal side of the placenta. Identify the large anchoring villi. Although not visible in this section, these villi extend from the chorionic plate to the basal plate. The decidual cells of the basal plate arise from the stratum basalis, which is part of the uterus. The surface of the basal plate that is exposed to the maternal blood is lined like the villi with syncytiotrophoblasts.
Check list for SLIDE 92d: 
SLIDE 92c vagina, human (H&E)
(RR&K p733, Fig. 1,2)
The wall of the vagina consists of a mucosa, an intermediate muscular layer, and an outer adventitial layer. Examine the surface epithelium and note the connective tissue papillae which project into it. Many of these papillae are cut obliquely and appear to be suspended within the epithelium. Is the epithelium keratinized? Why do the surface epithelial cells appear empty? Observe large vessels with thick bundles of smooth muscle deep in the mucosa. Unlike the cervix, the vaginal wall lack of mucosal glands. The boundaries between the mucosa, muscular layer and adventitia are difficult to discern. Try to distinguish bundles of smooth muscles from the fibrous connective tissue.
Check list for SLIDE 92c: 
SLIDE 92p Pap smear (Pap)
This is a normal cytologic (Papanicolaou, Pap) smear obtained by scraping the vaginal and cervical mucosa with the spatula. This smear represents an important method for the detection of cancer and is used widely for the screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer. Most of the cells comes from the superficial layers of the stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium of the vagina and cervix. If tumor cells are present in the mucosa, they will appear on the smear exhibiting a range of morphologic changes characteristic of cancer cells. Other cells of connective tissue can be noticed such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils as well as microbiological flora. Occasionally, some Pap smears may contain sperm. A reliable Pap smear must include cells taken from the transformation zone at the external os. That is, both squamous and some columnar epithelial cells must be present on the smear. Stages of the menstrual cycle can be determined from the smear, mainly by the shape of the epithelial cells and their other characteristics. Since every Pap smear comes from a different patient, be prepared to see and identify different cell types on each slide.
Check list for SLIDE 92p:
The female reproductive system consists of both internal and external organs. They include the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina, mons pubis, labia minora/majora, clitoris, and vestibule. This unit examines the structure of some of these organs, as well as the developmental stages of the oocyte.