Epididymis, epithelium and connective tissue

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium lines the mucosa of the epididymis.

The epididymis, located in the scrotum, is a highly coiled portion of the duct which carries sperm from the testis to the urethra. 

In the epididymal epithelium, the tall columnar cells and shorter basal cells give the appearance of two rows of nuclei.  However, both types of cells together really form a single layer with every cell sitting on the basement membrane.  Hence this epithelium is pseudostratified.  (For another example of pseudostratified epithelium, see the trachea.)

The columnar cells here are characterized by apical stereocilia (giant microvilli, not true cilia; "stereo" means "solid").  The basal cells are believed to be precursors of the columnar cells.

The epididymal epithelium is supported by loose connective tissue.

The loose connective tissue of a mucosa is called lamina propria.  Lamina propria typically has a fairly high proportion of cells with immune function.

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Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

https://histology.siu.edu/intro/RE034c.htm
Last updated:  9 June 2022 / dgk