Korean J Urol.  2005 Oct;46(10):1083-1087.

A Histologic Study of Urethral Plate with Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy

• Chung YC
• Kang YN
• Kim KS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make a histological study of a urethral plate using light and transmission electron microscopies to find evidence responsible for ventral curvature in hypospadias.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Full thickness biopsies of the urethral plate were obtained from 5 patients with proximal hypospadias; including 4 children and 1 adult. All specimens were examined with light and transmission electron microscopies.
RESULTS
With the light microscope, all specimens demonstrated well vascularized connective tissue, comprised of smooth muscle and collagen. With the transmission electron microscope, all specimens demonstrated intact endothelial cells and fibroblasts, with dispersed chromatin distribution, intercellular loose collagen and a regular arrangement of collagen fibrils in intercellular spaces. No histological evidence of fibrous cord could be found in any of the specimens.
CONCLUSIONS
No histological evidence of fibrous cord could be historically found that could be considered responsible for ventral penile curvature in hypospadias.

Keyword

Hypospadias; Urethra; Histology; Electron microscopy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Biopsy
Child
Chromatin
Collagen
Connective Tissue
Endothelial Cells
Extracellular Space
Female
Fibroblasts
Humans
Hypospadias
Male
Microscopy
Microscopy, Electron
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission*
Muscle, Smooth
Urethra
Chromatin
Collagen