title: [Epididymis. Anatomy, function and pathology].
abstract: Studies on the human epididymis suggest that both histologically and biochemically, it can be subdivided into discrete segments with different functions. Current research attempts to isolate segment-specific secretory markers which can be used in localizing dysfunction and pathology in cases of male infertility. In cases of azoospermia, the segmental level of an occluding lesion also has prognostic relevance for the results of epididymovasostomy. Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent cause of acute epididymitis but an epididymal involvement is also a common feature of chronic prostato-vesiculitis, the etiology of which is unknown. This article provides a short review of the structure and function of the epididymis, the pathological changes in the organ associated with male infertility and the potential methods of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Andrologisk laboratorium, Institutt for patologi, Rikshospitalet, Oslo.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lunde
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Purvis
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
vernacular_title: Epididymis. Anatomi, funksjon og patologi.