Histology of the Kidney Flashcards
(20 cards)
What covers the kidney
a capsule of strong collagen fibres
What is the hilum
the site of entry of renal artery and exit of renal vein and ureter
What makes up a nephron
renal corpuscle and renal tubules
What separates the blood from the glomerular filtrate
capillary endothelium
basal lamina
podocytes
What lines the thin limb of the loop of henle
simple squamous epithelium with nuclei protruding into the lumen
What lines the thick ascending limb
simple cuboidal epithelium with lots of mitochondria
Describe the convoluted tubule epithelium
The distal convoluted tubules are found in the cortex and are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium, however unlike the proximal convoluted tubules, those of the DCT lack a brush border of extensive microvilli
What are the medullary rays
In the cortex, the collecting ducts, along with the straight segments of the proximal and distal tubules are gathered together in parallel bundles running perpendicular to the surface of the kidney and called medullary rays
What is the lining of the collecting duct
simple columnar epithelium
What makes up the juxtaglomerular apparatus
the macula densa
the juxtaglomerular cells
the extraglomerular mesangial cells
What is the macula densa
On the side of the distal convoluted tubule nearest the afferent arteriole the cells of the DCT are taller, crowded together and the nuclei are intensely stained. Believed to function in sensing ion composition in the DCT.
What are the juxtaglomerular cells
Juxtaglomerular cells: Modified smooth muscle cells in wall of the afferent arteriole. These cells contain/secrete renin.
What are the extraglomerular cells
): Modified mesangial cells extending outside of the renal corpuscle. Their exact function is unknown.
What lines the conducting parts of the urinary tract
transitional epithelium or urothelium
What are the cells at the luminal surface of urothelium called
umbrella cells
Describe the histology of the ureter
transitional epithelium - lamina propria -smooth muscle (muscularis external)
What lines the urethra in females
initialy transitional epithelium which transition to stratified squamous near its termination
What are the parts of the male urethra
prostatic
membranous (from prostate to bulb of penis)
Penile urethra
Where does the epithelium in the male urethra change from transitional
at the membranous urethra
changes to statified columar
which at the tip of the penis becomes stratified squamous
Describe the histology of the prostate
tubulo-alveolar glands lined typically by simple columnar secretory epithelium and with a fibromuscular stroma. Its secretions make up about half the seminal fluid volume
