Morphological characterization of the female prostate (Skene's gland or paraurethral gland) of Lagostomus maximus maximus

Abstract

The Skene's (paraurethral) gland is the histologic homologue to the male prostate. Much experimental work has been done on women and on various rodents. In this study we describe for the first time the anatomical and histological characteristics of the paraurethral gland in the plain viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus). This gland is formed by tubuloalveolar adenomers surrounded by connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers. The adenomers are lined by cuboidal or columnar epithelium. In the lumen of the adenomers, PAS positive secretions could be detected. The conduits are lined by bi-stratified epithelium. In some aspects this gland is similar to that of other mammals.