Page 824 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations
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FIGURE 20.19 ■ Seminal vesicle. Stain: hematoxylin and eosin. Low
magnification.
FIGURE 20.20 | Bulbourethral Gland
The paired bulbourethral glands are compound tubuloacinar glands. The
fibroelastic capsule contains connective tissue (3), smooth muscle fibers, and
skeletal muscle fibers (2, 7) in the interlobular connective tissue septum (5).
Because of their location in the urogenital diaphragm, the skeletal muscle fibers
(2, 7) from the diaphragm are present in the bulbourethral glands. Connective
tissue septa (5) from the capsule (3) divide the gland into several lobules.
The secretory units vary in structure and size and resemble mucous glands,
exhibiting either acinar (6) or tubular secretory units (1). The secretory cells
are cuboidal, low columnar, or squamous and light staining with the height of the
epithelial cells depending on the function of the gland. The secretory product of
the bulbourethral glands is primarily mucus.
Smaller excretory ducts (4) may be lined with secretory cells, whereas the
larger ducts exhibit pseudostratified or stratified columnar epithelium.
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