The Cervical Epithelium From Fetal Age to Adolescence.

Uteri obtained at the postmortem examination of 164 girls ranging in age from premature and immature infants to 11 years were studied for evidence regarding the developmental changes that take place in the cervix during this period of life and in particular the mechanisms involved in the production and regression of congenital ectropion. Tt is concluded that congenital ectropion is a normal feature of development of the cervix.Its occurrence and its persistence or disappearance appear to depend on variable growth of cervical tissues as they react to hormonal stimulation, hormonal deprivation, and systemic growth. The mechanisms are described in detail.