A 24-year-old, sexually active woman has experienced lower abdominal pain for the past day. Her temperature is 37.9deg C, and on palpation, the left lower abdomen is markedly tender. Laboratory findings include a total WBC count of 29,000/mm3 with 75% segmented neutrophils, 6% bands, 14% lymphocytes, and 5% monocytes. Laparotomy reveals a distended, fluid-filled, reddened left fallopian tube that is about to rupture. A left salpingectomy is performed. Which of the following is most likely to be seen on microscopic examination of the excised fallopian tube?