Urethral chromaffin cells

Summary

The urethral mucosa of the rat, rabbit and guinea-pig was examined with both fluorescence and electron microscopy. Employing the former technique, numerous brightly fluorescing flask-shaped cells were observed amongst the basal cells of the urethral epithelium in all three species. In the electron microscope cells with a similar shape and distribution are distinguished by their content of membrane-limited dense granules, extensive Golgi membranes and bundles of filaments. In favourable planes of section short microvilli extend from the apical region of these cells which are joined to neighbouring urethral epithelial cells by zonulae occludentes. These fluorescent, granule-containing cells are classified as urethral chromaffin cells.

Fluorescent nerves were not observed in relation to the urethral epithelium although the electron microscope revealed axons lying singly or in groups both beneath and between the urethral epithelial cells. Many of these axons appear varicose and contain small, agranular vesicles, a few large granulated vesicles and numerous mitochondria. Occasionally a vesicle-containing axon lay adjacent to a urethral chromaffin cell. While a direct autonomic innervation of these cells could not be discounted it is concluded that the majority of nerves probably perform a sensory function.