Male urogenital glands (also named male accessory sex glands) have received relatively little attention from electron microscopists, with the possible exception of the prostate gland. Moreover, even though comparative studies have clearly shown that these glands exhibit species-dependent features, very few studies, scattered over various publications, are available on the urogenital glands of man. This volume, the 11th of the series on Electron Microscopy in Biology and Medicine, presents an unprecedented collection of information on the functional microanatomy and cytoarchitecture of these organs in humans. Through the integration of transmission and scanning electron microscopy with a variety of modern techniques, it documents the most important aspects of the histophysiology of these glands from their development to some pathological alterations. In order to cover some key mechanisms of their cell biology, such as the action of sex hormones, the epithelio-mesenchymal interactions, and the dynamic of the secretory process, reports on human organs have been supplemented by some studies on experimental animals. The outstanding level of the contributions and the quality of the illustrations make this book, which has been compiled by some of the world authorities on the topic, a work of reference for students, scientists, and professionals interested in biomedical foundations of andrology, as well as a stimulus for future research in this exciting and relatively neglected chapter of human reproduction.

This volume, the sixth of the series, represents the natural counterpart of the previous volume, Ultra structure of the Digestive Tract. Unlike the latter, however, whose contents fell entirely within the domains of gastroenterology, Ultrastructure of the Extraparietal Glands of the Digestive Tract encom passes a few cognate sciences, such as hepatology, pancreatology, and even oral biology, which are usually dealt with separately. This allows, starting from cell biology, embryology, and comparative anatomy, a comprehensive survey of organs that have much in common both structurally and functionally. The chapters of this book have been compiled by well-known experts in the field with the aim not only of reviewing and pointing out the state of the art of the subject covered, but also of giving directions for future work. Furthermore, through the integration of electron microscopy with immunocytochemistry, autoradiography, freeze fracture, maceration, enzymatic digestion, etc., and by providing superb illus trative material, the authors substantiate the pivotal role played by modern morphology in under standing human physiology and pathology. In fact, it must be stressed, that a consistent part of the tissues studied here are from human origin. We believe that this volume should be read, not only by scientists and teachers active in the field, but also by a larger audience of students and professionals interested in knowing the scientific foundations of biomedicine."