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Epididymis

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Epididymis

The epididymis brings sperm cells from the rete testis to the ducuts (vas) deferns. The epididymis is an extremely long and coiled tube. In this tube, spermatids mature into spermatozoa. They shed their extra cytoplasm and fully develop their flagellum.

The lumen of the epididymis is larger than the lumen of the seminiferous tubules of the testis. This allows for a greater holding capacity of sperm cells. The epithelium of the epididymis is simple ciliated columnar epithelium surrounded by a layer of smooth muscle cells. The cilia aid in moving the spermatids that may not have fully developed their flagellum.

Histological section: Testis (top) and epididymis (bottom). Testis: densely packed seminiferous tubules with pink-stained basement membranes and lightly stained lumens. Epididymis: coiled tubules with more defined lumens and stroma. Hematoxylin and eosin stain. Bright field microscopy, low magnification.
Figure 1: Testis and epididymis: histology slide showing tissue structure, stained pink and white.
A histology slide displaying the epididymis. The image consists of numerous tubules cut in cross-section, revealing circular and oval structures. The staining creates a two-toned effect, with a darker pink/red outlining the epithelial cells and lighter, mostly clear lumen. Connective tissue is lightly stained. The tubules are densely packed across the frame.
Figure 2: Microscopic view of epididymis. Sectioned tubules displaying epithelial lining and lumen. Pink/red staining.
Histological light microscopy image of the epididymis. Displaying a roughly circular epididymal tubule lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The periphery is surrounded by connective tissue with scattered nuclei and blood vessels. The tubule's lumen has a cell accumulation. pink and purple staining is visible.
Figure 3: High magnification epididymis showing simple columnar epithelium and spermatozoa in the lumen.

Figures 1, 2 and 3: Testis, human, H&E, Slide 270
All by University of Michigan Histology, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

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Epididymis
Accessory Glands
Seminiferous tubules
Penis
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Oocytes
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