Ectocervix is predominantly lined by which of the following type of epithelium?
The poion of the cervix exterior to the external os is called ectocervix. It is lined predominantly by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The endocervical canal is covered by a single layer of mucin-secreting columnar epithelium. During pregnancy mucus produced by the endocervical epithelium becomes thick and forms a mucus plug within the endocervical canal. During pregnancy, the endocervical epithelium moves out and onto the ectocervix during enlargement of the cervix. Ref: Cunningham F.G., Leveno K.J., Bloom S.L., Hauth J.C., Rouse D.J., Spong C.Y. (2010). Chapter 2. Maternal Anatomy.
Cuboidal epithelium
Mucin secreting columnar epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium