Scanning electron microscopic observations on the epithelium of the human spongy urethra. 1988

S Zecchi-Orlandini, and M Gulisano, and G E Orlandini, and A F Holstein
Dipartimento di Anatomia umana e Istologia, Università di Firenze.

The human spongy urethras of individuals submitted to emasculation because of glans carcinoma have been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The luminal surface of the organ shows longitudinal folds and small glandular openings, surrounded by epithelial elements arranged in form of rosettes. Spermatozoa, partially degenerated, adhere to the epithelium. The slightly prominent apices of the superficial epithelial cells are more or less polygonal in shape and covered with short microvilli among which small granules as possible morphological expression of a secretory activity are detectable. Only seldom microplicae, intermingled with microvilli, can be observed. Additionally, some apices appear swollen and protrude into the lumen. Such a pattern may be escalated so that a cell seems to transform itself into a globular mass and then is expulsed from the epithelial surface. Sometimes an epithelial cell appears empty of its contents: only the crumpled plasmalemma remains. This may represent the morphological expression of an apocrine or holocrine secretory activity of the superficial epithelium. In few cases, the proximal portion of the spongy urethra shows small groups of ciliated elements.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008855 Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D004848 Epithelium The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body. Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D014521 Urethra A tube that transports URINE from the URINARY BLADDER to the outside of the body in both the sexes. It also has a reproductive function in the male by providing a passage for SPERM. External Urethral Sphincter,External Urinary Sphincter,Internal Urethral Sphincter,Internal Urinary Sphincter,Internal Vesical Sphincter,Urethral Sphincters,External Urethral Sphincters,External Urinary Sphincters,Internal Urethral Sphincters,Internal Urinary Sphincters,Internal Vesical Sphincters,Sphincter, External Urethral,Sphincter, External Urinary,Sphincter, Internal Urethral,Sphincter, Internal Urinary,Sphincter, Internal Vesical,Sphincter, Urethral,Urethral Sphincter,Urethral Sphincter, External,Urethras,Urinary Sphincter, External,Urinary Sphincter, Internal,Vesical Sphincter, Internal

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