Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

The cervix is located at the base of the uterus and is normally characterized as having a stratified squamous epithelium. In cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), the cells of the cervix undergo changes that reflect a loss of controlled growth. This begins in CIN I with mild dysplasia and nuclear angulation and vacuolization. The dysplasia in CIN II is more severe and affects more layers of the epithelium. It is important to note variation in the size of cells and nuclei during this phase, though the superficial layers of the epithelium may still appear normal. CIN III involves changes in cell and nuclear size, as well as abnormal mitoses, in all layers of the epithelium.