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In the present study, a detailed histological description of the female reproductive tract of South American fur seal (Arctophoca australis) pups has been conducted. The uterine tube was covered by cuboidal to columnar epithelium; nerve fibers were present in the mesosalpinx and beneath the muscular layer. The uterus was bipartitus; the endometrial surface of the horns was lined by a simple cuboidal or columnar epithelium with deep tubular glands; caudally ("the transition area"), the epithelium changed to pseudostratified columnar, few tubular glands were present and the myometrium increased in width. A bistratified epithelium internally coated the uterine body, whereas it changed to cylindrical stratified epithelium with a highly vascularized lamina propria and a strong muscular layer in the cervix; no endometrial glands were observed in this region. From the transition area of the uterus to the vagina there were several nerve fibers and ganglia belonging to the uterovaginalis plexus. In the vestibule, hymenal folds were poorly developed; adnexa structures included the major vestibular glands and a neurovascular structure similar to the vestibular bulb. Minor vestibular glands were associated with the clitoris. The skin of the perineum was lined by a keratinized stratified epithelium, pigmented, with sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles. This is the first detailed histological description of the reproductive tract of South American fur seal pups, including the glandular adnexa and nerve structures. These results contribute to the reproductive biology in Pinniped species, and give a better understanding of the utero-placental perfusion mechanism during diving. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:600-613, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The vulva, which is the external genitalia of the female, collectively consists of the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, vestibule, greater (Bartholin) and lesser vestibular glands, and vaginal opening (introitus). This chapter describes the gross and microscopic anatomy of the adult, as well as the embryological derivation of the region’s multiple components.

The authors report two examples of nodular hyperplasia of the Bartholin gland. Each occurred in the vulva, close to the introitus of women aged 33 and 49 years, who presented with slightly painful lesions that were clinically thought to be cysts. Grossly, both masses exhibited a multilobular architecture, were elastic, were gray in color, and measured 4 cm and 3.2 cm in greatest dimension. On microscopic examination, the lesions looked similar and exhibited an increased number of secretory acini, with maintenance of the normal duct-acinar relationship--features compatible with nodular hyperplasia. Rare dilated ducts were observed, and intraluminal inspissated secretions were occasionally seen. In one case, there were a focal mild inflammatory infiltrate, squamous metaplasia of larger ducts, and rare ruptured ducts with extravasated stromal mucin. Clonality analysis performed in one case revealed a monoclonal pattern, suggesting that the lesion may be a neoplastic process rather than simple reactive hyperplasia.

The topographical anatomy of the bulbo-clitoral organ was already partially covered in the first chapters, with its morphology and structure having been observed in situ, i.e. within the external feminine genitalia. However, several points remain to be clarified and very specific connections have yet to be studied. We will discuss the connections with the vestibule, labia and greater vestibular glands; the connections with the urethra, the vagina and the perineal membrane; and finally, the relations with the pelvic diaphragm (levator ani muscles).

Vulvar vestibulitis is a recently described clinical condition of unknown etiology. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated as a causal pathogen by some investigators. Because reports on this entity are few, we studied the pathologic features of vestibulectomy specimens from 36 women with a clinical diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis. The patients' ages ranged from 19 to 53 years (mean, 31 years). Bilateral excisions were performed in 34 patients and a unilateral excision in two. Minor vestibular glands or ducts were identified in 28 patients (78%). Chronic inflammation was present in all specimens. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted predominantly of T lymphocytes and plasma cells with smaller numbers of B lymphocytes. Lymphoid follicles were present in four patients, ulcers in two. The predominant site of inflammation was the squamous mucosa, especially the lamina propria, where the degree of inflammation was graded as mild in 11 patients, moderate in 21 patients, and severe in four patients. To a lesser degree, the inflammation also typically involved the periglandular/periductal connective tissue of the minor vestibular glands, where it was graded as mild in 25 patients and moderate in three patients. Foci of squamous metaplasia were observed in 27 of 28 patients with demonstrable vestibular ducts or glands. Nodular hyperplasia of a vestibular gland (so-called "adenoma") occurred in one patient. In six selected cases, fungi were not identified on silver stains. Morphologic findings of HPV infection, such as koilocytotic atypia or squamous dysplasia, were absent. In-situ hybridization studies for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 35 were negative in all 36 cases. We conclude that (a) vestibulectomy specimens from patients with a clinical diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis typically show a chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate that predominantly involves the mucosal lamina propria and periglandular/periductal connective tissue and (b) a pathogenetic role for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 35 is not substantiated.

The hypothalamic peptide orexin A (oxA) binds specifically the G-protein–coupled orexin receptor 1 (ox1R). It is involved in many physiological functions including the regulation of food intake, sleep–wake cycle, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and sexual behavior. The localization of oxA in adrenal glands, stomach, bowel, pancreas, and testis has recently been assessed. Here, we provide the first evidence for the expression of oxA and ox1R in the vestibular glands of mammalian genital tract. Anat Rec, 2009. copy; 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The external female genitalia include the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, prepuce, frenulum, clitoris, and vestibule. The orifices of the Skene and Bartholin glands, as well as those of the minor vestibular glands and the urethral meatus, open into the vestibule (Fig. 2.1). After adren-arche, the mons pubis and lateral aspects of the labia majora acquire increased amounts of subcutaneous fat and develop the coarse, curly surface hair characteristic of the adult. During adolescence, the labia acquire a characteristic hyperpigmentation and the clitoris undergoes some enlargement. The entire vulva, with the exception of the vulvar vestibule, is covered by keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium.95 The labia majora contain both smooth muscle and fat, whereas the labia minora are devoid of adipose tissue but are rich in elastic fibers and blood vessels.171 Within the lateral aspects of the labia majora, sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles are evident. Toward the medial aspects of the labia majora the hair follicles are absent and sebaceous glands open directly to the surface epithelium. Similar sebaceous gland elements are seen on the perineum posterior to the vestibule. The labia minora typically do not contain glandular elements, although sebaceous glands without hair follicles may be found within the interlabial sulcus and at the lateral base of the labia minora.

Bartholin’s duct cyst is a sequel of occlusion of the main duct leading to the accumulation of secretion. It presents as a slightly tender, round to ovoid swelling at the lower part of labium majus. The size usually varies from 3 to 6 cm with an average of 5 cm. A larger cyst attaining 12.5 cm and weighing up to 183 g has been described (Aborjaily et al. 1958). The cyst is more commonly unilateral, but bilateral cysts are sometimes seen. Depending on whether the main or smaller ducts are obstructed, the cyst may be uni- or multilocular; the unilocular cyst usually results from main duct obstruction. A collar-button-type distension generally occurs proximal to the obstruction of the main duct (Tancer 1965). The common cause of obstruction is Bartholin adenitis due to gonococcal infections. Infections by other organisms have also been incriminated. Mechanical trauma can cause distortion of the duct and thereby hindrance to the outflow of secretions. Rarely, malignancy of the organ can manifest as a cystic swelling in elderly women. The posterior third of vulva is the usual site for these cysts.

Larval behavior and metamorphosis in Parasmittina nitida morphotype B from the Gulf of Mexico has been studied. The larvae have two basic types of movement: (1) a clockwise-counterclockwise movement about the aboral-oral axis of the lobular larval form resulting in either slow horizontal or rapid vertical movement, and (2) a directed horizontal movement of the creeping larval form, whereby either the oral lobe is pressed against the substrate or the aboral-oral axis is tilted forward. In both forms, the vibratile plume of the pyriform organ complex extends the leading edge of the larva. Metamorphosis was observed with Nomarski differential interference microscopy in living specimens and with scanning electron microscopy in fixed specimens. Polypide development— in particular, the formation and diminution of the nutritive mass, the differentiation of the polypide rudiment, diaphragm, vestibular glands, operculum, major components of the musculature and alimentary canal, and the early stages of astogenetic growth—is described. The tata ancestrula of this species is characterized by a frontal wall calcified distally to the aperture, which is surrounded by nine erect spines. The polypide feeds actively within seven to eight days after the onset of larval attachment and metamorphosis under laboratory conditions of 22°C.

A case of benign mixed tumor of the vulva and a case of carcinoma arising in a similar benign mixed tumor of the vulva are reported. Both mixed tumors were of salivary gland type and probably arose in the Bartholin's gland. Only three previous cases of benign mixed tumor of the vulva have been documented in the literature. Two arose in the vestibular glands, and the third arose in cutaneous sweat glands. No case of carcinoma arising in a benign mixed tumor of the vulva has been previously documented.

Intact multiparous bovine reproductive tracts at various stages of the oestrous cycle were examined post mortem. The mean (±SD) length of the vestibule was 115·6 ± 12·82, volume of the suburethral diverticulum 4·0 ± 1·33 ml, and weight of the major vestibular gland was 6·9 ± 2·58 g. 26·5% of reproductive tracts had macroscopically visible cysts along the major vestibular gland duct. At all stages of the oestrous cycle and at all positions examined, the vestibular epithelium was stratified squamous containing variable numbers of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Lymphatic nodules associated with the epithelium, seen throughout the vestibule, were most commonly observed around the clitoris. Histochemically, the branched mucus-secreting tubules of the major vestibular glands contained neutral, sialated and sulphated mucins.

Four examples of adenocystic (pseudoadenomatous) basal cell carcinoma of vestibular glands of vulva are reported. Three of these arose in the region of the Bartholin gland whereas the exact vulvar location of the fourth was not described but probably was from a major rather than a minor vestibular gland. The tumor is a histologic entiry and consists of small uniform basal cells with pseudoglandular and microcystic formations and usually considerable hyalinized acellular stroma. It pursues a slow insidious course, is prone to local recurrence and perineural spread, and has the ability to metastasize by vascular channels. The neoplasm should not be likened to mixed tumor of the salivary gland or confused with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or adenocarcinoma of the vestibular glands.