superficial cells, keratinization does not occur in human vaginal  epithelium. Thus, nuclei can be observed throughout the entire thickness of the epithelium despite the fact that the cytoplasm of most of the cells above the basal layers appears empty. These cells are normally filled with large  deposits of glycogen that is lost in the processes of fixation and embedding of the tissue. The rectangle outlines a portion of the epithelium and connective tissue papillae that is examined at higher magnification below. The muscular layer of the vaginal wall consists of smooth muscle arranged in two ill-defined layers. The outer layer is generally said to be longitudinally  arranged (SML), and the inner layer is generally said to be circularly arranged (SMC), but the fibers are more usually organized as interlacing bundles surrounded by connective tissue. Many blood vessels (BV) are seen in the connective tissue.
epithelium are more clearly seen here (arrows), in some instances outlined by the surrounding closely packed cells of the basal epithelial cell layer. Note, again, that the epithelial cells even at the surface still retain their nuclei and there is no evidence of keratinization.
and begin to accumulate glycogen and become less regularly  arranged as they move toward the surface. The highly cellular connective (CT) tissue immediately beneath the basal layer (B) of the epithelium typically contains many lymphocytes (L). The number of lymphocytes varies with the stage of the ovarian cycle. Lymphocytes invade the epithelium around the time of menstruation and appear along with the epithelial cells in vaginal smears.
Adjacent to this is a bundle of smooth muscle cut in cross section (SMC). This bundle abuts on a longitudinally sectioned lymphatic vessel (LV). To the left of the lymphatic vessel is another longitudinal bundle of smooth muscle (SML). A valve (Va) is seen in the lymphatic vessel. A small vein (V) is present in the circular smooth muscle close to the lymphatic.
B, basal layer of vaginal epithelium BV, blood vessels CT, connective tissue Ep, epithelium L, lymphocytes LV, lymphatic vessel SMC, smooth muscle, cross section SML, smooth muscle, longitudinal section V, vein Va, valve in lymphatic vessel arrows, connective tissue islands in epithelium KEY
The mammary glands are branched tubuloalveolar glands that develop from epidermis and come to lie in the subcutaneous tissue (superficial fascia). They begin to develop at puberty in the female but do not reach a fully functional state until after pregnancy. The glands also develop in the male at puberty; the development is limited, however, and the glands usually remain in a stabilized state.
Mammary gland, inactive stage, human, H&E ×80.
This figure is a section through an inactive gland. The parenchyma is sparse and consists mainly of duct elements. Several ducts (D) are shown in the center of the field. A small lumen can be seen in each. The ducts are surrounded by a loose
Mammary gland, inactive stage, human, H&E ×200; inset ×400.