Normal histology	Histopathology	Pathological basis of disease	Clinical findings	
•	The endocervixis lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucus-secreting cells.
•	The ectocervix is lined by thick stratified squamous, non-keratinizing epithelium.
•	The main bulk of the cervix is composed of tough, collagenous tissue containing little smooth muscle.
•	Beneath the squamo-columnar junction, the cervical stroma is often infiltrated with leukocytes.	Abnormal histology:
•	Extensive proliferation of abnormal epithelial cells.
•	There is breach of the basement membrane with sheets, nests of atypical cells invading into the subepithelial stroma.
•	Keratin pearls can be seen.

Cellular characteristics:
•	Increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio.
•	Hyperchromatic nuclei
•	Nuclear pleomorphism
•	Increased abnormal mitoses
•	Loss of polarity	Increased risk in:
•	First intercourse at early age.
•	Multiple sex partners.
•	High-risk male sex partners.

Etiology:
•	HPV is implicated as a promoter of cervical carcinoma.	Staging:
•	0: Carcinoma-in-situ
•	I: Confined to cervix
•	II: Extends beyond cervix but not into pelvic wall.
•	III: Extends to pelvic wall.
•	IV: Extends beyond pelvis