title: Interaction of epithelial and stromal cells in vaginal adenosis.
abstract: Two types of direct contact between epithelial and stromal cells in patients with vaginal adenosis are documented in electron micrographs. In the first type, epithelial cells send cytoplasmic extensions through the basal lamina to achieve, at times, complete fusion with fibroblasts in the stromal compartment. In the second type, mast cells act as intermediaries between the epithelial and stromal compartments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at HCA Wesley Medical Center, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita 67214.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Parmley
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Horbelt
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*