[Electron microscopical investigations on the so-called reserve cells in the cylindrical epithelium of the human cervix uteri (author's transl)].

By electron microscopical investigations on the cylindrical epithelium of the human cervix uteri there can be shown that the regeneration of the endocervical epithelium takes place from bipotent reserve cells, which are of fetal origin, lying in the basal layer of the epithelium. These cells are able for mitosis even in postnatal life. The reserve cells differentiate if necessary to squamous cells or secretory cells by forming typical cell organelles. There is a discussion about the question whether the reserve cells are persisting elements from fetal life or whether the numeral balance of the endocervical epithelium is kept by permanent mitosis.