LAB Renal Histology

Question 1

What cells are found in the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule?

Answer 1

Podocytes

Question 2

At the vascular pole of the glomerulus the epithelial cells of the distal tubule (DT) are…..

Answer 2

Taller and more crowded i.e. Macula densa

Question 3

Difference between proximal and distal convoluted tubule cells?

Answer 3

PCT:

• Eosinophilic
• Brush border (PAS positive)
• Wide cells, so few nuclei seen in section
• Well defined BM

DCT:

• Narrower more crowed cells
• Well defined BM
• Macula dense present

Question 4

______ _______ inhibit Na+/Cl- reabsorp?on from portions of the DT by blocking the thiazide- sensitive Na-Cl co-transporter.

Answer 4

Thiazide diuretics

Question 5

Loop diuretics, block the reabsorption of sodium in the _____ _____ of the nephron.

Answer 5

ascending limb

Question 6

Structures found in the medulla?

Answer 6

Collecting ducts

Thin segments of LoH

Question 7

Describe the appearance of the collecting tubules in a medullary slide?

Answer 7

Collecting ducts: Columnar cells, pale cytoplasm and well defined lateral boundaries
Capillaries i.e. vasa recta
Thick segments of LoH

Question 8

Describe the appearance of the LoH in a medullary slide?

Answer 8

Thin segments of LoH: Thin squamous epithelium, indistinct cell outline, long oval nuclei that bulge into the lumen
Thick segments: Cuboidal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm

Question 9

What are the larger collecting tubules that empty through the papilla into the minor calyx?

Answer 9

Papillary ducts of Bellini

Question 10

Features of the kidney in the papilla region?

Answer 10

Collecting tubules
Thin segments of the LoH
Capillaries: Wide, thin walled
Loose connective tissue around the papillary ducts of Bellini

Question 11

Method to stain basement membranes?

Answer 11

Periodic acid-schiff staining (PAS) stains them purple

Question 12

Where is the only “intact” layer between blood and the glomerular filtrate?

Answer 12

The basement membrane is the dialyzing membrane responsible for the formaYon of the ultrafiltrate

Question 13

Appearance of the cytoplasm of the glomerular capillaries?

Answer 13

Thin cytoplasm of endothelial cells is perforated by regularly open pores

Question 14

Structure of the podocytes?

Answer 14

The nucleus sends a number of processes to become attached to the basement membrane.
The sub-podocytic space (urinary space) is filled with glomerular filtrate.
The foot processes of podocytes interdigitate and do not normally come into contact with each other so that the podocytes do not form a complete coverign for the capillaries

Question 15

What is effacement?

Answer 15

When slit diaphragms are lost at the glomerular and the BM membrane is then covered with a continuous layer of podocyte cytoplasm

Question 16

Histological appearance of the ureter?

Answer 16

Mucous membrane: When contract, gives stellate appearance to the narrow lumen
Epithelium: Transitional type, with 5/6 layers of cells. Surface cells are large and rounded to allow distension.
Sub-epithelial tissue/lamina propria: Composed of collagen fibres with numerous capillaries. Lymphatics present
No muscularis mucosa and no glands
Muscle coat: Loosely arranged smooth muscle, 3 layers (inner longitudinal, middle circular, outer longitudinal) Spiral arrangement.
Adventiitia: Contains collagen fibres, blood vessels and bundle of nerve fibres

Question 17

Histological appearance of the bladder?

Answer 17

Mucous membrane: is thrown into folds in the contracted bladder.

Epithelium: is of transitional epithelium as in ureter

Subepithelial layer (lamina propria): is very vascular with some separation of connective tissue component due to shrinkage during tissue preparation.

There no glands present in the bladder wall and no muscularis mucosae.

Muscle coat: is a very thick coat consisting of three layers

Blood vessels and bundles of nerve fibres are seen among the bundles of muscle fibres.

Adventitia: Composed of collagen fibres and blood vessels containing lymphatics. It blends with surrounding loose connective tissue.