Clitoral Gland - Atrophy




comment:
Atrophy of clitoral gland parenchyma is a spontaneous aging change in mice and rats. Atrophy also accompanies duct dilatation (
Figure 1
). Mild inflammatory cell infiltrate may also be associated with the reduction in glandular tissue. The hallmark of atrophy is a reduction in the amount of acinar tissue of the clitoral gland; individual acini are composed of small numbers of sebaceous cells containing variable amounts of dark eosinophilic secretory granules. Frequently the lateral ducts, distended by accumulated secretion, are prominent (
Figure 2
and
Figure 3
). There is often an increase in the interstitial fibrous tissue (
Figure 2
,
Figure 3
,
Figure 4
, and
Figure 5
).
recommendation:
Clitoral gland atrophy should be diagnosed and given a severity grade whenever it is present. Inflammation accompanying clitoral gland atrophy should not be diagnosed separately unless warranted by severity. If atrophy is secondary to duct dilation, then atrophy does not need to be diagnosed separately but should be described in the narrative if treatment related.references:
Copeland-Haines D, Eustis SL. 1990. Specialized sebaceous glands. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 279-293.
National Toxicology Program. 1995. NTP TR-439. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (CAS No. 298-59-9) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC. Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6022
Seely JC, Boorman GA. 1991. Mammary gland and specialized sebaceous glands. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 613-635.
Web page last updated on: November 23, 2015