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A Comparative anatomical study of the mammalian uterotubal junction
Author(s) -
Hook S. J.,
Hafez E. S. E.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051250204
Subject(s) - oviduct , biology , anatomy , tunica , lamina propria , epithelium , connective tissue , lumen (anatomy) , lamina , nucleus , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics
Among eight species of mammals in this study (cattle, sheep, pig‐tail and rhesus monkeys, rabbit, pig, rat, and dog) four basic patterns of anatomical structure at the uterotubal junction are described. The classification of types is based upon the presence or absence of an intramural portion of the oviduct and of isthmal folds or plicae projecting into the lumen of the uterine cornu. Histological variations are reported for three tissues: epithelial and connective of the mucosa and smooth muscle of the tunica muscularis. In the epithelium during the estrous cycle the differences recorded include: (a) absence of ciliated cells in the distal end of the oviduct in rat and dog; (b) variations in ciliated and nonciliated cells in (1) cell height, (2) location, shape and stainability of the nucleus, and (3) in amount and stainability of apical cytoplasm; (c) presence of lymphoblast‐like cells which appear to migrate through the epithelium from the lamina propria. The connective tissue of the mucosa, as a circular layer and as cores for the mucosal folds, shows variations in thickness and in relative density of cells and fibers of the matrix. Emphasis is given to the presence of an inner longitudinal layer of smooth muscle in the tunica muscularis of the distal oviduct in six of the eight species.