Comparative microanatomy of the urological systems Flashcards
What does each nephron begin with?
A blind expansion that is invaginated by a cluster of capillaries known as the glomerulus
What makes up the renal corpuscle?
The glomerulus, The bowmans capsule and Bowmans space
What are the two parts of the bowmans capsule?
Parietal and a visceral layer
parietal is made up of squamous epithelial cells
Visceral layer is made up of podocytes
What is the vascular pole?
Where the afferent and efferent arteriole meet
Where are the glomeruli usually located?
Either in the cortex or the corticomedullary junction
What charcterises the glomerular endothelial cells?
They have fenestrations and glycocalyx which covers the luminal surface of the cell
What surface are the foot processes found on?
They are found on the abluminal surface
What makes up the extraglomerular cells?
Juxtaglomerular apparatus
What is the function of the intarglomerular cells?
vasoconstriction and phagocytosis b
What do the cells of the PCT look like histologically?
abundant dark pink cytoplasm, prominent brush border
simple columnar epithelium
highly folded basal cell membrane
What do the cells of the ascending/descending thin limbs look like histologically?
simple squamous epithelium
What do the cells of the DCT look like histologically?
smaller cells with less cytoplasm so it looks like there is ‘more nuclei’ in each cross-section
it is composed of simple cuboidal epithelium
What is the macula densa?
A short segment of the DCT that is next to the afferent and efferent arterioles
Where can juxtaglomerular cells be found?
within the interstitium between the macula densa and the vascular pole
What is different about a fish kidney?
Does not contain any loops of henle
