Adenosis is a term used to describe nonepithelialized columnar glandular epithelium in the vagina. At ~15th week of embryological development, the Mullerian system, which forms the upper 2/3 of the vagina, fuses with the invaginating cloaca, which forms the lower vagina.
Squamous metaplasia from the cloacal region then produces a squamous epithelium through the vagina. Adenosis occurs when this squamous epithelium fails to completely epithelialize the vagina.
[...] Adenosis occurs when this squamous epithelium fails to completely epithelialize the vagina. ALERT Geriatric Considerations Adenosis is a disorder of the young female. By the time of menopause the vagina and cervix should be completely epithelialized. The presence of glandular epithelium in the postmenopausal patient is an indication for excision and close evaluation for the possibility of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Pregnancy Considerations Pregnancy produces a wide eversion of the transformation zone of the cervix. This will occasionally become so widely everted that it will extend onto the vaginal fornices, leading to the impression of adenosis. [...]
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