Histology of the Urinary System Flashcards
5 parts of the nephron
Renal corpuscle Proximal tubule Distal tubule Loop of Henle Medullary collecting duct
How can you tell between cortex and medulla of kidney on histology?
Cortex will have renal corpuscles
Parts of the renal corpuscle
Bowman’s capsule: double layered epithelial cup (visceral and parietal layers)
Glomerulus: capillary network in the capsule
Bowman’s/urinary space
Mesangeal cells and lacis cells
Mesangeal cells around the glomerulus
Support structure for the glomerulus and some other things (secretory, phagocytic)
Lacis cells are mesangeal cells found at the vascular pole
Podocytes
Make up the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule
Their processes embrace the capillary
Renal filtration barrier components
Fenestrated capillary endothelium
Capillary basement membrane
Podocytes and their processes with pedicels (secondary processes)
Filtration slits between pedicels, bridged by slit membranes
Proximal convoluted tubule on histology
Numerous in cross section Cuboidal cells Granular cytoplasm Eosinophilic Indistinct cell boundary Shaggy lumen from microvilli
Distal convolute tubule on histology
Fewer in cross section Smaller cuboidal cells Less eosinophilic Indistinct cell boundary Wider lumen due to absence of brush border
Thick limb of LoH on histology
Resemble DCTs but are in the medulla
Visible lumen
Cuboidal cells
Thin limb of LoH on histology
In the medulla
Simple squamous epithelium (no RBCs)
Collecting tubules on histology
Wide lumen Pale staining cytoplasm Distinct intercellular outlines Central nucleus Perinuclear halo Cells vary from cuboidal to low columnar
3 components of the juxtaglomerular apparatus
DCT with Macula densa
Afferent arteriole (with JG cells)
Extraglomerular mesangeal cells (lacis cells)
Ureter under histology
Classic 4 layers (epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis, adventitia)
Thick muscle wall
Spidery shaped lumen
Where is the transitional epithelium in the urinary system?
From the minor calyx to most of the urethra
How many muscle layers in the bladder? What are they called?
3
Inner longitudinal
Outer circular
Outer longitudinal
