Patient's question:
I got married last year. Recently, I've been experiencing lower abdominal pain, especially during my period. I'm very worried it might affect my fertility, and I'm also extremely sensitive to cold and coldness. What does a normal cervix look like?Doctor's answer:
The normal cervix is composed of three types of epithelium: squamous epithelium, columnar epithelium, and metaplastic squamous epithelium. Squamous epithelium covers most of the cervix, forming a flat, pink, and opaque layer that resembles the lining of the oral cavity. Columnar epithelium may be confined to the cervical canal or extend outside it, surrounding the external orifice of the cervical canal. This condition is referred to as "epithelial heterotopia" and is more common in young women. Columnar epithelium appears redder and resembles the conjunctiva of the eye. These two types of epithelium merge at the squamocolumnar junction of the cervix. Metaplastic epithelium is located at the junction of the squamocolumnar epithelium, serving as the transitional area where columnar epithelium is replaced by new squamous epithelium.