Vascular architecture of the human uterine cervix, as assessed in light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to visualize and describe the vasculature of the human uterine cervix.

Materials and Methods. The material for this study was obtained from women (age between 20 to 45 years) during autopsy. The material was collected not later than 24 hours post-mortem. This study was performed using uteri from cadavers of menstruating nulliparas (33 uteri) and menstruating multiparas (27 uteri). Collected uteri were perfused via the afferent vessels with Mercox resin (for corrosion-casting and SEM assessment) or acrylic paint solution (light microscopy assessment). The research protocol was approved by the Jagiellonian University Ethics Committee (registry KBET/121/8/2007).

Results. In all cases bilateral cervical branches (1-4), originating from the uterine artery, were found. Both in the vaginal and supravaginal parts of the cervix, four distinct vascular zones were found. In the pericanalar zone ran small veins, responsible for draining the mucosal capillaries. Both in the muscular layer, as well as in the pericanalar zone, arterioles and venules passed close to each other, often adjoining.

Conclusions. This study does not confirm the existence of a single “cervicovaginal” artery, but shows that the vascular supply of the cervix comes from several vessels. It also introduces the idea of two systems, responsible for draining blood from the mucosal capillaries. Neither assessment in light microscopy nor in SEM has revealed any differences between multiparas and nulliparas, as to the vascular architecture of the cervix.