Structural organisation within the epididymis and its functional implications
Patni, M.K.; Kothari, L.K.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 28(4): 268-274
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5499 PMID: 6534870 Document Number: 225049
The functional organization of the epididymis was studied in 20 adult albino rats. The gross divisions of caput or head, corpus or body, and cauda or lower endshow distinctives features which indicate functional specialization. The caput epididymis has strikingly tall columnar cells with a mean height of 124 .mu.m but little muscle tissue. It seems to be adapted as a distensible low-pressure reservoir to accommodate the testicular outflow and modify it by absorption and secretion; the prominent stereocilia (or microvilli) would favor this absorptive function. The cauda shows abundant muscle tissue around the widening duct and provides the mechanism for rapid delivery of sperm during ejaculation. The corpus or middle part is peculiarly long and slender, accommodating only 2 or 3 ductules side-by-side. It might serve to separate the 2 functionally different upper and lower parts and protect the testis against any undue back-pressure. The epididymis weighed 67% of the corresponding testis, on an average. The capacity of the testis to tolerate any obstruction of the outflow tract might be related to the size and capacity of the epididymis in that species.