Surface Topography of Normal Human Prostate

Abstract

Glands of the normal human prostate obtained from young adults were extensively studied by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the normal prostate five types of the acinal cells were recognized by a surface topography; microvillar, crater, secreting, holey and bare. Microvillar cells possessed numerous micrbvilli on the apical surfaces of the cells. Secreting cells showed active secretion; bulging of the apical cell membranes. Holey cells possessed one to several small holes on the apical cell surfaces. In crater cells, their apical cell membranes were broken off. Bare cells possessed fairly smooth apical surfaces, with scant microvilli in the periphery. In general, however, there were varying numbers of microvilli in every type of cell. These findings were basically identical with those of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).