Epididymis

Testis and epididymis
General
Epididymis

Author: Rafael Jimenez, M.D. (see Authors page)

Revised: 23 June 2017, last major update March 2012

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PubMed Search: Epididymis [title] normal

Table of Contents

Definition / general | Diagrams / tables | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stains

Cite this page: Epididymis. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/testisepidnormal.html. Accessed July 15th, 2017.

Definition / general

Connects efferent ductules to vas deferens
Has head, body and tail
Composed of columnar cells (tall, ciliated with PAS+ nuclear inclusions), clear cells and basal contractile cells (actin positive)
May have "monster" cells similar to seminal vesicle (no significance, Am J Surg Pathol 1981;5:483)
Tubules have thick muscular coat
References: Am J Surg Pathol 2003;27:469
Nonpathologic morphologic variations:
- Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions: 72%, usually older patients
- Lipofuscin pigment: 33% usually in efferent ducts and associated with obstructive changes
- Cribriform hyperplasia: 42% usually NOT in normal testis
- Paneth cell-like metaplasia: 8% with hyalin-like globules that are positive for PAS with and without diastase digestion, associated with obstructive changes
- Nuclear atypia: 14% similar to that in seminal vesicles, associated with older age
- Note: rarely present within hernia sacs (Am J Surg Pathol 1999;23:880)
- References: Am J Surg Pathol 1998;22:990