Spotting refers to the identification of various structures in histology (microscopic anatomy) based on tissue sections (TS) prepared from different organs. Below are the typical features of the transverse sections (TS) of the oesophagus, rectum, trachea, testis, and ovary:

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(a) TS of Oesophagus

• Location: The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
• Features:
  • Mucosa: Stratified squamous epithelium for protection against abrasion.
  • Submucosa: Loose connective tissue with mucus-secreting glands.
  • Muscularis externa: Two layers of smooth muscle (inner circular and outer longitudinal layers) responsible for peristalsis.
  • Adventitia: Outer connective tissue layer, not serosa (as in most of the digestive tract).

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(b) TS of Rectum

• Location: The rectum is the last part of the large intestine, leading to the anus.
• Features:
  • Mucosa: Simple columnar epithelium with numerous goblet cells for mucus secretion.
  • Submucosa: Contains blood vessels and lymphatics.
  • Muscularis externa: Thick layer of smooth muscle, with the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers.
  • Serosa: The outer layer of connective tissue.
  • Rectal glands: Goblet cells are abundant in the mucosa for lubrication.

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(c) TS of Trachea

• Location: The trachea is the windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi.
• Features:
  • Mucosa: Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells.
  • Submucosa: Loose connective tissue with seromucous glands.
  • Cartilage: C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings that provide structural support and prevent collapse.
  • Adventitia: Outer connective tissue layer.
  • Smooth Muscle: Trachealis muscle at the back of the C-shaped cartilage rings.

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(d) TS of Testis

• Location: The testis is the male gonad responsible for sperm production.
• Features:
  • Tunica albuginea: Dense connective tissue capsule surrounding the testis.
  • Seminiferous tubules: Highly coiled tubules where sperm are produced. The walls are lined with germinal epithelium (spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells).
  • Interstitial tissue: Contains Leydig cells that secrete testosterone.
  • Vascular structures: Blood vessels supplying the testis.

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(e) TS of Ovary

• Location: The ovary is the female gonad responsible for egg production and hormone secretion.
• Features:
  • Germinal epithelium: Simple cuboidal epithelium covering the surface.
  • Cortex: Contains ovarian follicles in various stages of development (primordial, primary, secondary, and mature follicles).
  • Medulla: Contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
  • Oocytes: Located in the follicles, with a surrounding layer of granulosa cells.
  • Corpus luteum: In the later stages of the menstrual cycle, the ruptured follicle forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.

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