Histology of Human Reproductive Organs

Ovary

• Germinal Epithelium

  Cuboidal epithelium (modified peritoneal mesothelium)

• Tunica Albuginea

  Dense connective tissue

• Cortex

  Contains ovarian follicles at different stages of maturation

• Medulla

  Loose connective tissue, vessels, and smooth muscle

Uterine Tubes

• Mucosa

  Folded; simple columnar epithelium (ciliated and non-ciliated cells) + lamina propria (loose connective tissue)

• Muscular Layer

  Inner circular fibers, outer longitudinal fibers

• Serous Layer

  Mesothelium + loose connective tissue

Uterus

Fundus and Body

• Perimetrium

  Loose connective tissue + mesothelium

• Myometrium

  Smooth muscle (subserous, subvascular, vascular, submucosal strata)

• Endometrium

  a) Functional layer: undergoes cyclical changes
  b) Basal layer (approximately 1/3): simple columnar epithelium (ciliated cells + epithelial cells with microvilli), lamina propria (simple tubular glands secreting mucus), connective tissue

Cervix

• Endocervix

  Mucosa: simple columnar epithelium (secretory) + lamina propria (connective tissue with some smooth muscle fibers; continuous with adventitia of loose connective tissue)

• Ectocervix

  Mucosa: stratified squamous epithelium (similar to vagina) + lamina propria (connective tissue with some smooth muscle fibers)

Vagina

• Mucosa

  Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium + thick lamina propria

• Smooth Muscle Layer

  Outer longitudinal + inner circular layers

• Skeletal Muscle

  (Context unclear, likely surrounding muscles)

• Adventitia

  Connective tissue separating from rectum and bladder

Mammary Gland

15-20 lobes → lobules → 10-100 acini each.

• Acini

  Cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells separated from stroma by basal membrane, myoepithelial cells. Each acinus surrounded by a sheath (basal membrane) which continues to surround the collecting duct.

• Lobule

  Dense connective tissue between acini, with loose connective tissue surrounding ducts.

• Lactiferous Sinus

  Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, occupied by cellular debris and desquamated cells (keratin plug)

Areola

Pigmented stratified squamous epithelium, smooth muscle fibers, connective tissue rings, sweat glands.

Nipple

Hairless skin, well-developed dermal papillae, Montgomery glands (modified sebaceous glands).

Scrotum

Skin with sparse hairs and hyperpigmentation, subcutaneous tissue (loose connective tissue), Dartos muscle (smooth muscle), external spermatic fascia, Cremaster muscle (derived from internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles), internal spermatic fascia, Tunica vaginalis propria (peritoneal origin): parietal and visceral layers.

Testis

• Tunica Vaginalis

  (Peritoneal origin)

• Tunica Albuginea

  Dense irregular connective tissue

• Tunica Vasculosa

  Loose connective tissue

Seminiferous Tubule

• Tunica Propria

  Dense irregular connective tissue: Collagen fibers, fibroblasts, elastic fibers, myoid cells

• Germinal Epithelium

  Contains spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells

• Basal Lamina

  Underlies the germinal epithelium

Epididymis

Head / Body / Tail

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia (basal cells and principal cells), basal lamina, loose connective tissue, smooth muscle layer.

Ductus Deferens

1. Mucosa

   Epithelium (similar to epididymis)

2. Basal Lamina

3. Fibroelastic Loose Connective Tissue

4. Muscle Layer

   Inner longitudinal, middle circular, outer longitudinal

5. Adventitia

   Fibroelastic loose connective tissue

Ejaculatory Duct

1. Simple Columnar Epithelium

2. Subepithelial Connective Tissue

3. No Smooth Muscle Layer

Seminal Vesicle

• Mucosa

  Pseudostratified columnar epithelium (principal cells [secrete fructose] and basal cells)

• Smooth Muscle Layer

• Adventitia

  Fibroelastic connective tissue

Prostate

• Capsule

  Dense irregular connective tissue with smooth muscle fibers

• Glands

  30-50 compound tubuloalveolar glands (mucosal, submucosal, main)

• Glandular Epithelium

  Simple or pseudostratified columnar (columnar and basal cells)

• Prostatic Concretions

  Also known as amyloid bodies

Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's)

Compound tubuloalveolar glands at the base of the penis. Secrete into the membranous urethra.

• Capsule

  Dense connective tissue with smooth and skeletal muscle fibers (septa divide into lobules)

• Stroma

  Connective tissue and smooth muscle

• Mucosa

  Cuboidal or simple columnar epithelium

Penis

• Erectile Tissue

  Three columns (vascular spaces surrounded by smooth muscle and fibroelastic connective tissue)

• Capsule

  Tunica Albuginea (Dense Irregular Connective Tissue)

• Corpora Cavernosa

  Dorsal columns of erectile tissue

• Corpus Spongiosum

  Ventral column of erectile tissue, surrounds the urethra