RENAL AND BODY FLUID

A VIEW FROM HISTOLOGICAL ASPECT

H. Ahmad Aulia Jusuf, MD, Ph.D
Department of Histology Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia
PSPD FKIK Universitas Tanjungpura Pontianak
2012

INTRODUCTION
The urinary system (Figure-1.1) consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder and a
urethra. Urine is produced in the kidneys and flows down the ureters to the bladder where it is
stored until voided into the urethra.The kidney and ureters are located in the retroperitoneum
while the urinary bladder is in the anterior part of the pelvis.
The main function of the urinary system is the
maintenance of water and electrolyte homeostasis
which requires that any input into the system is
balanced by equivalent output. The urinary system
provides the mechanism by which excess water and
electrolyte are eliminated from the body. The second
major function of the urinary system is the excretion of
many toxic metabolic waste products. The end product
of these processes is urine. These actions are performed
by the two kidneys. Urine is delivered from kidneys
into the two ureters, from where it passes to the storage
Figure-1 The Urinary System

organ, the urinary bladder. During voiding the urin is

deliver from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body via the urethra. In the female the
urethra is solely a urinary duct but in the male, it also serves as the pathway for ejaculation of the
semen.
Additionally the kidneys have an endocrine function in that they produce renin which is
important in the regulation of blood pressure and erythropoietin which acts on the bone marrow
to stimulate production of erythrocytes. They are also involved in converting a circulating
precursor of vitamin D to the active vitamin that plays important role in controlling the level of
calcium in the body fluids.
Blood is supplied to each kidney by renal arteries which arise from the aorta. One or more
renal veins drain each kidney to the inferior vena cava. The total blood volume of the body is
circulated through the kidneys about 300 times each day.

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KIDNEY
Kidney is a large, reddish, bean-shaped organ lying in the upper retroperitoneal area.
Because of the position of the liver, the right kidney is approximately 1 to 2 cm lower than the
left. The size of kidney is about 11 cm long, 4 to 5 cm wide and 2 to 3 cm thick. It is wrapped by
the perirenal fat. Branches of the renal artery and vein, lymph vessels, and ureter pierce the
kidney in the fissure located in the median border of each kidney, called as hilus. The ureter is
expanded at this region forming the renal pelvis.
Hemisection view of the kidney
(Figure-2) shows that the archetypal
kidney of the human consists of cortex
and medulla. Cortical region appears the
colour of dark-brown and granular,
whereas the medulla contains 6 to 12
discrete, pyramid-shaped, pale, striated
regions, the renal pyramids. The base of
each renal pyramid is oriented toward the
cortex, constituting the corticomedullary
border, whereas its apex (known as renal
papilla) is pointed toward the hilus. The
apex of each renal piramid is perforated

Fig-2 Hemisection view of the kidney

by about 20 openings of ducts of Bellini.

This sieve-like region is known as the area cribosa. The apex is surrounded by a cup like
structure known as minor calyx. Two or three minor calyces form a major calyx. Three or four
major calyces empty into the renal pelvis. The lateral boundaries of each pyramid are defined
darker inward extensions from the cortex, known as the cortical columns of Bertini.
Cortex of the kidney is composed of 3 structure the renal corpuscle, proximal and distal
convoluted tubules and longitudinal striations known as medullary rays (also called as processus
Ferreini), which are cortical continuations of material located in the renal pyramids.
One renal pyramid and its bounding renal columns constitute a renal lobe. Hence the kidney
is a multilobar organ. Each medullary ray and its surrounding convoluted tubule is consider as a
kidney lobule, which continues into the medulla as a cone-shape structure.

URINIFEROUS TUBULES

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The functional unit of kidney is known as uriniferous tubule (Figure-3) a unit that is involved
in the ultrafiltration process of the blood, modifies the ultrafiltrate passing through it to form
urine as its final output, collect the urin and excrete it from the kidney into the ureter. This
functional unit consists of two parts, the nephron and collecting tubule (collecting system).
There are approximately 1.3 million nephrons in each kidney. Several nephrons are drained by a
single collecting tubules. Multiple collecting tubules join in the deeper aspect of the medulla to
form the larger ducts. The largest of these ducts, the ducts of Bellini perforate the renal papilla at
the area cribrosa.

Figure-3 The uriniferous tubule

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NEPHRON
In the human kidney, there are two type of nephrons:
1. The shorter cortical nephrons, which have both the renal corpuscle and the very
short tubular parts in the cortex of the kidney.
2. The longer juxtamedullary nephrons which have the renal corpuscle in the
cortex of kidney and the tubular parts in the medulla.
The nephron is consisted of 2 components; the renal corpuscle (Malphigian corpuscle) and
the renal tubule. The renal corpuscle or Malphigian corpuscle (Figure-4) is responsible for
filtration of plasma. The renal corpuscle is composed of a tuft of capillaries, the glomerulus
which is invaginated into Bowmans capsule, the dilated pouch like, proximal end of the
nephron.
Renal tubule consists of a long tubular portion consisting of several regions, including a
proximal convoluted tubule, a thick descending limb of Henle, a thin descending limb of the
loop of Henle, a thin ascending limb of Henle, an ascending thick limb of Henle and a distal
convoluted tubule that empties into collecting tubule.

Figure-4 Malphigian corpuscle (Left side is the light microscopic appearance of Malphigian
corpuscle, Right side is the schematic picture of Malphigian corpuscle

GLOMERULUS
The glomerulus (Figure 3,4 and 5) is a globular network of anastomosing capillaries that
arise from the branches of the afferent glomerular arteriole which invaginates Bowmans
capsule. The region in which the blood vessels supplying and draining the glomerulus, enter and
exit Bowman,s capsule is known as the vascular pole. Within the capsule, the glomerulus is
invested by a layer of epithelial cells called podocytes, which constitute the visceral layer of

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Bowmans capsule. The visceral layer is reflected around the vascular stalk of the glomerulus to
become continuous with the parietal layer which constitute Bowmans capsule.
The capillaries constituting the glomerulus (Figure-5) are similar to the fenested type of
capillaries. The endothelium of the glomerulus capillaries is thin and contains numerous number
of large round fenestrated with the diameter of 70-100 nm. Unlike other fenestrated capillaries,
the pores of the glomerulus capillaries do not have a pore diaphragma as infenestrated
capillaries elsewhere in the body. Another unusual feature is that the luminar surface of the
endothelium is negatively charged due to the present of a surface layer of a glycoprotein called
as podocalxin. The thick portion of the endothelial cell bodies, containing the nucleus, is usually
located on the side of the capillaries away from the capsule space.

Figure-5 Fenestrated type capillar in the glomerulus, podocyte and filtration barrier
The space between the glomerular capillaries (Figure-6) are occupied by the
mesangium, a connective tissue consisting of mesangial cells in an extracellular matrix
that is relatively free fibrous elements other than fibronectin. The specialized property of
mesangial cells are
1. considered as to be a specialized type of pericyte providing structural support for
the capillary loop. Unlike other pericyte they are phagocytic and it is speculated
that they may be participate in the continuous turn over of the basal lamina by

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removing its outer portion containing residues of filtration, while the lamina basal
is renew on its inner surface by the endothelial cells.
2. they are contractile and respond to angiotensin II and other vasoconstrictor that
are known to reduce the area of the intraglomerular filtration barrier by reducing
the blood flow through some of the capillary loops.
3. have a specific receptor for the atriopeptides hormone which is secreted by
certains cells of the myocardium. This hormone functions in regulating the
vasodilation of some capillary loop near the vascular pole of the glomerulus.

Figure-6 Glomerular capiller, podocyte and mesangial intraglomerular cells

THE BOWMANS CAPSULE
The Bowmans capsule (Figure-7) consists of an inner visceral layer made up of highly
branched cells called podocytes (Figure- 5 and 7) that completely invest the glomerular capillary.
The podocytes have a long cytoplasmic extensions called primary processes which embrace the
capillaries, giving rise to short secondary foot processes (pedicles) which interdigitate with
those of other primary processes. The secondary foot processes are directly applied to the lamina
rara externa and bound to it by fine filaments.
The gaps between adjacent secondary foot processes, known as filtration slits are of
uniform width (20-40 nm) and are bridge by a delicate electron-dense diaphragm 4 nm thick,
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called as filtration slit diaphragma (Figure- 5 and 8). The slit diaphragma has circular pores
bridgeed by spoke-like configurations that radiate from a central density. These spoke are
separated from one another by 3 to 5 nm spaces.
The pores between them are believed to be small
enough to prevent passage of albumin and larger
molecules from the blood into the glomerular filtrate.
The plasma membrane of the foot-processes has a
prominent glycocalyx that is negatively charged and
stains intensely with ruthenium red. This coat has
now been isolated and identified as a 140 kD
sialoglycoprotein that is called podocalyxin. In the
living state, the filamentous molecules forming the
glycocalyx on adjacent foot processes, probably

Figure-7. Bowman capsule

largely fill the filtration slits. So a layer of negatively

charge podocalyxin covers the urinary surface of the

podocytes, including the filtration slit. The high

negatively of the surface coat could be a
significant component of the filtration barrier.

In electrone micrographs of thin

sections, the nucleus of the podocytes is
often infolded and irregular in outline.
Cytoplasm of podocyte contains a small
Golgi complex, a moderate number of of
cisternal profiles of rough endoplasmic
reticulum, and abundant free polyribosomes.
Intermediate filament and microtubules are
plentiful, both in the cell body and in its Figure-8 The Electrone microscopy picture
primary processes. Actin filaments and heavy

of filtration slit

meromyosin have been localized cytochemically in the bases of the foot-processes. Since the
podocyte cytoplasm contains actin filaments it seems that podocytes have contractile and
phagocytic functions.
The outer layer is called the parietal layer (Figure-4, 6 and 7)consists of simple squamous
epithelium that is continuous at the urinary pole of the renal corpuscle with the proximal
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convoluted tubule. The space between the visceral and parietal layers of Bowmans capsule is
called the urinary space of Bowman. The primitive urinary filtrate passes into the urinary space
and then into the proximal convoluted tubule. The region of continuation between the renal
corpuscle and the proximal tubule, which drains Bowmans space called as the urinary or
tubular pole.
GLOMERULAR BASEMENT MEMBRANE
The glomerular basement membrane (240-340 nm) (Figure-5 and 8) also called as basal
lamina is much thicker than other basement membranes and appears to be elaborated by both
capillary endothelial cells and podocytes. As with basement membranes elsewhere, it consists of a
feltwork of type IV collagen, structural glycoproteins (fibronectin and laminin) and proteoglycans
rich in heparin sulphate. By electron microscopy, the glomerular basement membrane consists of
three layers
1. Lamina rara externa, located between lamina densa and the visceral layer of Bowmans
capsule.This layer contain laminin, fibronectin and a polyanionic proteoglycan and rich in
heparin sulfate.
2. Lamina densa, the middle dense layer with the thickness of 300 nm and consists of type
IV collagen.
3. Lamina rara interna, located between the lamina densa and the endothelial cells of the
capillaries. This layer contains the structure similar to lamina rara externa.
Fibronectin and laminin help pedicels and endothelial cells to maintain their attachment to the
lamina densa.
HISTOPHYSIOLOGIC OF GLOMERULAR FILTRATION
The continuous filtration of the blood plasma in renal glomeruli is a process that is essential
for the elimination of nitrogenous wastes and control of the extracellular fluid composition and of
blood volume. The structural components of the filter barrier (Figure-5 and 8) are:
1. The fenestrated endothelium
2. The basal lamina
3. The filtration slits between the foot processes of the podocytes.
Which of these components is the primary filter serving to retain plasma proteins in the
circulation is still debated, but it is the prevailing view that the endothelial pores are only a corse
sieve holding back the formed elements of the blood and that the basal lamina is the main filter.

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All layers contribute to the selective filtration process. Clinical evidence demonstrates that
free haemoglobin and smaller molecules pass freely through the glomerular filter, whereas
albumin and larger molecules are retained. For macromolecules three factors determine
permeability, namely electrical charge, size and configuration. Negatively charged (cationic)
molecules are blocked by the negatively charge endothelial cell coat and lamina rarae of the
basement membrane, while the meshwork of lamina densa of the basement membrane
discriminates on the basis of molecular size and configuration. The filtration slit diaphragm
restricts the passage of any large molecules but its main role is in controlling water flow which
is also held back by the colloidal osmotic pressure of retained albumin and other large molecules.
The phagocytic function of the podocyte is to remove any large molecules which become
trapped in the outer layers of the filter. Molecules trapped on the endothelial side are
phagocytosed by mesangial cells.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEPHRON

Figure-9
During embryonic development, renal tubule (Figure- 9) develops from the embryological
metanephros , as blind-ended tubes consisting of a single layer of cuboidal epithelium. The ends
of the tubules dilate and become invaginated by a tiny mass of mesodermal tissue which
differentiates to form the glomerulus. The layer of invaginated epithelium flattens and
differentiates into podocytes which become closely applied to the surface of the knot of
glomerular capillaries. Most of the intervening tissue disappears so that the basement membrane
of glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes effectively fuse, forming the glomerular basement
membrane. A small amount of tissue remains to support the capillary loops and differentiates to
form the mesangium, a membrane like material that fills the space between the capillary loops in
each glomerular. This Mesangium contains the mesangial cells.

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CORTEX OF THE KIDNEY
The cortex of kidney is covered by a capsule, perirenal connective and adipose tissues. The
cortex of kidney consists of renal corpuscle and adjacent proximal and distal tubules together
with interlobular arteries and veins, juxtaglomerular complex and the medullary rays (processus
of Ferreini) which contain the loop of Henle and collecting tubule.
PROXIMAL TUBULE

MD

Figure-10 Proximal (PCT) and distal (DCT) convulated tubules and macula densa (MD)
Bowmans space drains into the proximal tubule at the urinary pole. In this junctional region,
sometimes called the neck of the proximal tubule (negligible in human), the simple squamous
epithelium of parietal layer of Bowmans capsule joins the simple cuboidal epithelium of tubule.
The proximal tubule consists of a highly tortous region, the pars convoluta (proximal
convoluted tubule) (Figure-3 and 10), located near the renal corpuscle and a straighter portion the
pars recta , which descend in the medullary rays within the cortex and then in medulla to become
continuous with the Henles loop at outer parts of medulla.
The proximal convoluted tubule (Figure-3 and 10) is a coil tube, widest segmen of the
nefron with the length of 14 nm and stains acidophilic. The proximal convoluted tubule is cut in
the various shapes. The wall of this tubule composed of simple cuboidal cells with the unclear
boundaries. The nucleus of the cell is round in shape, blue, and located slightly far from the
others. The cytoplasm of the cell is acidophilic in color due to its granule. The surface of cell
toward to the lumen contains a well-developed brush border.
The proximal convoluted tubule is responsible for the reabsoption of approximately 80% of
water fluid including all the proteins, amino acids, glucose, and most ions and electrolytes
(sodium, chloride, calcium, phosphate) from the tubular filtrate. There is an active transport
of Na+ ions through the base of the cells into the interstitium; these ions then enter the peritubular
capillaries. The many mitochondria operate an Mg2+-dependent Na+, K+ activated ATPase pump
located in the basal part of the cell membrane. Chloride ions passively follow the actively
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transported Na+ ions. The accumulation of ions outside the base of the cell causes water to move
passively out of the tubule lumen; this water is called obligatory water. Because the proximal
convoluted tubule reabsorbs sodium and chloride at the same rate as water, the filtrate that enters
the loop of Henle has the same osmotic pressure as that which entered the proximal convoluted
tubule from the urinary space. Additionally all of the glucose, amino acids, and protein in the
glomerular ultrafiltrate are resorbed by cells of the proximal tubule.
DISTAL TUBULE
The distal tubule is subdivided into the pars recta which as as the continuation of the
ascending thin limb of Henles loop is also known as the ascending thick limb of Henles loop
and the pars convoluted (distal convoluted tubule) (Figure-3 and 10). Interpose between the
ascending thick limb and the distal convoluted tubule is a modified region of the distal tubule
known as the macula densa (Figure-3 and 10).
The ascending thick limb of Henles loop is 9 to 10 nm in length and 30-40 m in diameter. It
joins the ascending thin limb at outer part of the medulla and ascends straight up through the
medulla to reach the cortex. The thick ascending limb is not permeable to water or urea. Its cell
have chloride (and perhaps sodium) pumps that function in the active transport of chloride (and
sodium) from the lumen of the tubule. Thus as the filtrate reaches the cortex of the kidney within
the lumen of the distal tubule, its salt concentration is low and its urea concentration remains
high.
As the ascending thick limb of the Henle loop pass near its own renal corpuscle, it lies
between the afferent and efferent glomerular arterioles. This region of the distal tubule is called
the macula densa (Figure-10). Because the cells of the macula densa are tall and narrow, the
nuclei of these cells appear to be much closer together than those of the remainder of the distal
tubule.
The wall of the distal convoluted tubule (Figure-10) composed of simple cuboidal cells with
the clearer boundaries compared to the proximal tubule. The nuclei of the cells are round in the
shape with the blue color. The distant of the nuclei between the cells is closer compared to the
proximal convoluted tubule. The cytoplasm is blue in color due to the presence of basophilic
granule. The surface of the cells toward to the lumen does not contain the brush border. The
lumen of the distal tubule is larger and is more clearly defined lumen, more nuclei per-cross
section
The distal convoluted tubule is mainly involved in reabsorption of sodium ions from the
tubular fluid. The process is directly coupled to the secretion of hydrogen and potassium
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ions into the tubular fluid, one hydrogen ion or one potassium ion being secreted for every
sodium reabsorbed; in this way the distal convoluted tubule plays an important role in acid-base
balance. This process is controlled by the hormone aldosterone secreted by the adrenal cortex. A
certain amount of potassium is also reabsorbed in the distal convoluted tubule.
JUXTAGLOMERULAR COMPLEX
The Juxtaglomerular complex (Figure-11) is made up of tubular and vascular elements of
the nephron that have interactive functions influencing systemic blood pressure and the rate of
glomerular filtration.
In histological sections the distal convoluted tubule of nephron is located at the vascular pole
of the glomerules, between the afferent and efferent arteriole, the epithelial cells are slender and
more crowded than elsewhere, called as macula densa. The cells of the macula densa are tall,
narrow, pale cells with centrally placed nuclei. Because of the narrowness of these cells, the
densely staining nuclei are near to each other; collectively, viewed with the light microscope, they
appear as a dense spot. The basement membrane between the macula and underlying cells is
extremely thin and discontinuous. The blunt cell processes are reported to extend through it
toward the juxtaglomerular cells in the afferent arteriole. These relationships strongly suggest that
the macula densa has a sensory function that influences the activity of the juxtaglomerular
cells. The cells of the macula densa are thought to be sensitive to the concentration of sodium
ions in the fluid within the distal convoluted tubule. Decreased in systemic blood pressure results
in decreased production of glomerular filtrate and hence decreased concentration of sodium ions
in the distal tubular fluid.
Juxtaglomerular cells are modified smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the afferent
arteriole close to the renal corpuscle. These cells form a cluster around it just before it enters the
glomerulus. Juxtaglomerular cell cytoplasm contains the granules of renin and erythropoietin.
Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow in
response to reduced oxygen tension. Renin, an aspartly peptidase enzyme, plays an important role
in water conservation and regulation of blood pressure.
Extraglomerular mesangial cells (Goormaghtigh or Lacis or Polkissen cells) form a
conical mass, the apex of which continuous with the mesangium of the glomerulus, laterally it is
bounded by the afferent and efferent arterioles and its base abuts the macula densa. The lacis cells
are flat and elongated with extensive fine cytoplasmic processes extending from their ends and
surrounded by a network of mesangial material.

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Despite the central location in the juxtaglomerular, the function of the extraglomerular
mesangial cells is not yet clear. The current theory is that these cells participate in the
tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism by which changes in Na+ concentration at the
macula densa give rise to signals which directly control glomerular blood flow. The
extraglomerular mesangial cells are thought to be responsible for transmission of a signal arising
in the macula densa to the intraglomerular mesangial cells which then contract or relax to make
the capillary loops narrower or wider.

MD

Figure-11 Juxtaglomerular apparatus (macula densa, lacis/Polkissen and juxtaglomerular cells)

THE ROLE OF JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS IN THE CONTROL OF BLOOD
PRESSURE
The juxtaglomerular apparatus (Figure-11) is believed to act as both a baroreceptor and a
chemoreceptor, controlling systemic blood pressure by the secretion of renin by the
juxtaglomerular cells. The juxtaglomerular cells are suitably placed to monitor systemic blood
pressure, with a fall in blood pressure resulting in renin secretion. Reduction in blood pressure
results in reduced glomerular filtration (Figure-12) and consequently a lower concentration of
sodium ions in the distal convoluted tubule. Acting as chemoreceptors the cells of the macula
densa in some way then promotes renin secretion. Renin diffuses into the bloodstream catalyzing
the conversion of angiotensinogen, an alpha2 globulin synthesized by the liver into the
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decapeptide angiotensin I. In the lungs, angiotensin converting enzyme produced by endothelial
cells cleaves two amino acids from angiotensin I to form angiotensin II which is a potent
vasoconstrictor.
Angiotensin II raises blood pressure
in three ways:

constriction of

peripheral blood vessels, release

of aldosterone from the adrenal
cortex and via a direct effect on
the

renal

tubules

where

it

promotes the reabsoption of sodium

ions from the distal convoluted
tubule, thus expanding the plasma
volume

and

increasing

blood

pressure.
The tubuloglomerular feedback
mechanism is also thought to
operate at a local level to control
glomerular blood flow and therefore
indirectly systemic blood pressure.

Figure-12 The regulation of blood pressure by

juxtaglomerular apparatus
THE MEDULLA OF KIDNEY
The medulla of kidney is composed of a number of renal pyramids. Each pyramid lies with its
base adjacent to cortex and its apex directed inward. The medulla contains the loops of Henle,
collecting tubule of koligens, collecting duct or papillary duct of Bellini, renal papilla, cortical
collumn of Bertini, calyx minor and interlobaris arteries/veins.
LOOP OF HENLE
The loop of Henle (Figure-3 and 13) is made up of four parts:
1. the thick descending limb (Pars recta of the proximal tubule)
2. The thin descending limb
3. The thin ascending limb
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4. The thick ascending limb (Pars recta of the distal tubule)
The pars recta is the second, straight part
of the proximal tubule which extends
down into the outer medulla. There is an
abrupt transition to the thin descending
limb which loops down into the medulla
for a variable distance. The thin limb of
juxtamedullary nephrons extend down to
the inner medulla before turning back on
Figure-13 Medulla of Kidney (CD= collecting duct
of Bellini; T= thin limb of Henle loop; A=
thick limb of Henle loop, CT = Collecting
tubule of Koligens; V= vein)

themselves , while the thin limbs of

cortical nephron only extend a short way
into the medulla.

After the hairpin bend the tubule becomes the thin ascending limb for a short distance before
abruptly changing into the thick ascending limb. Thus the thin descending limb is longer than the
thin ascending limb.
The pars recta of the proximal tubule has the appearance similar to the proximal convolute
tubule but its diameter is smaller than that of proximal convoluted tubule. The thin limb
(descending and ascending) has the appearance similar to the blood capillary with a simple
squamous epithelium but the epithelium slightly thicker than that of capillary. The lumen may be
differentiated from the vasa recta by the absence of erythrocyte and their regular rounded in
transverse section. Thick ascending limb of Henle has the appearance similar to distal
convoluted tubule.This tubule is lined by low cuboidal epithelium and are also round in cross
sections. Neither thick nor thin limb of the loop of henle have a brush border.
The function of the loop of Henle is to produce an increasing osmotic gradient from the
cortex to the tip of renal papilla by the counter-current multiplier mechanism.
The parts of the loop of Henle with a thick (cuboidal) epithelium participate in active
transport of various ions and molecules out of the lumen and into the interstitium. On the other
hand the thin limb are lined by a flattened squamous epithelium which has no capacity for active
transport. The thin descending limb allows free diffusion of H2O but is fairly impermeable to
NaCl, while the thin ascending limb is permeable to to NaCl but not to H2O. The vasa recta take
up water from the medullary interstitium and return it to the general circulation.

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As the urine flows into the thick ascending limb, active transport of NaCl again occurs and
this correlates with the appearance of the epithelium. The thick ascending limb is also
impermeable to water which may be related to its thick glycocalyx composed of the glycoprotein.
COLLECTING TUBULE AND DUCTS
The collecting tubule of koligen (Figure-3 and 13) joins the distal convoluted to collecting
duct. Several collecting tubules merge to form each collecting duct. The collecting tubule
descend in the medullary rays toward the renal medulla where they progressively merge to form
the large collecting ducts of Bellini (Figure-3 and 13) which drain urine from the tip of renal
papilla into the pelvic-calyceal system.
The collecting tubule of koligens (Figure-13) has the appearance similar to distal convoluted
tubule but their epithelium are lightly stained cuboidal cells with visible cell membranes. The
collecting tubules coalesce as they pass through the medulla to form large papillary ducts. The
cuboidal epithelium of collecting tubule becomes increasingly tall distally until it merges with the
columnar epithelium of the collecting duct.
The simple columnar epithelium of the collecting duct or papillary ducts (Figure-13)
consists of two cell types, the principle cells and intercalated cells. Principal cells have pale
cytoplasm with scanty organelles with luminar short microvilli and a single cilium. There are
prominent basal infoldings of the basolateral plasma membrane but no lateral Principal cells
actively reabsorb Na+ and secrete K+ as well as reabsorbing water. Intercalated cells have
darker interdigitations. cytoplasm due to the content of multiple mitochondria, polyribosome, and
membrane bound vesicles. The intercalated cells function to secrete H+ and reabsorb
bicarbonate and are thus important in acid-base homeostasis.
The collecting tubule and papillary ducts concentrate urine by passive reabsorption of water
into the medullary interstitium following the osmotic gradient created by the counter current
multiplier system of the loop of Henle. The vasa recta return this water to the general circulation.
The amount of water reabsorbed is controlled by antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin)
secreted by posterior pituitary in response to dehydration. ADH acts by increasing the
permeability to water of the collecting tubule and duct resulting in retention of water by the body
and the production of hypertonic urine. Conversely, ADH secretion is inhibited by water overload
and an increasing volume of hypotonic urine is thus produced. The collecting tubule and ducts are
also the site of H+ secretion and therefore important in the maintenance of acid-base balance.
The interstitium of the inner medulla in some species including human, contains unusual cells
called lipid laden interstitial cells arranged at right angles to the tubules and vasa recta bound
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tightly to one another. The function of these cells is not yet clear but they may be involved in the
production of prostaglandins and/or hormones which regulate blood pressure.
CALYCES
The renal papilla of each renal pyramid fits
into a minor calyx, a funnel-shaped chamber
that accepts the urine leaving the ducts of
Bellini at the area of cribrosa. The portion of
the apex of the pyramid that projects into the
minor calyx is covered by transitional
epithelium, which acts as a barrier, separating
the urine from the underlying connective tissue

Figure-14 Papilla renalis and minor calyc

lamina propria. Deep to the lamina propria is a

thin muscular coat, composed entirely of smooth muscle. This muscular layer propels the urine
into a major calyx, one of three or four larger funnel-shaped chambers, each of which collects
urine from two to four minor calyces. The major calyces are similar in structure to the minor
calyces as well as to the expanded proximal region of the ureters the renal pelvis. The walls of the
excretory passages thicken from the minor calyces to the urinary bladder.
RENAL INTERSTITIUM
The kidney is invested by a dense, irregular collagenous type of connective tissue, with
some elastic fibers intersperse among the bundle of collagen. This capsul is not attached firmly
to the underlying cortex. As the blood vessel enters the hillum, they travel in a thin connective
tissue cover, some of which is derived from the capsule.
The cortical region has only delicate connective tissue elements, mostly associated with the
basement membranes investing the uriniferous tubules and their vascular supply. The two cellular
components of the cortical connective tissue are fibroblass and cells that are probably
macrophages.
The medullary interstitial connective tissue component is more extensive than that found in
the cortex. Embedded in this connective tissue are the various components of the uriniferous
tubules as well as the extensive vascular network located in the medulla. The cell population of
this connective tissue consists of three cell types: fibroblasts, macrophages, and interstitial cells.
Interstitial cells appear to be placed like rungs of a ladder, one top of the other and are most
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numerous between straight collecting ducts and between the ducts of Bellini. Interstitial cells
have elongated nuclei and numerous lipid droplets. It is believed that these cells synthesize
medullipin I, a substance that is converted in the liver to medullipin II, a potent vasodilator that
lowers blood pressure.
RENAL VASCULATURE
The kidney receives an extremely extensive
blood supply via the large renal artery, a direct
branch of the abdominal aorta. Before entering
the hilum of the kidney, the renal artery
bifurcates (Figure-15) into an anterior and a
posterior division, which in turn subdivide to
form a total of five segmental arteries. The
first subdivisions of the segmental arteries are
called lobar arteries, one for each lobe of the
kidney. These in turn branch to form two or
three interlobar arteries, which travel between
the renal pyramids to the corticomedullary

Figure-15 Vascularization of kidney

junction. At the corticomedullary junction the interlobar artery which run in an-like course
parallel to the capsule of the kidney. Because these arteries describe a slight arc over the base of
the renal pyramid, they are named arcuate arteries.
The arcuate artery ascends into the cortex and gives rise to numerous cortical radial
(interlobular) arteries which radiate toward the capsule, branching to form the afferent
arterioles of the glomeruli and form the microcirculation of the renal medulla. The efferents
arteriol which drains the glomerulus and leave the corpuscle form the vasa recta. The vasa recta
descend into the medulla and make the microcirculation of the renal medulla. Some of the
interlobular arteries ascend through the cortex to perforate the kidney capsule. Here they
contribute to the formation of capsular plexus.
The cortical and medullary capillaries drain via cortical radial (interlobular) veins to arcuate
veins at the cortico-medullary junction and thence to the renal vein.
LYMPHATIC SUPPLY OF THE KIDNEY
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The lymphatic supply of the kidney is not completely understood. It is believed that most
lymphatic vessels follow the larger arteries. According to most investigators, the lymphatic
supply of the kidney may be subdivided into superficial and deep aspects located in the
subcapsular region and medulla, respectively. The two systems may or may not join each other
near the hilum, where they form several large lymphatic trunks. Recently it has been
demonstrated that there are lymph vessels in the cortex that follow the larger arteries, but they do
drain their lymph into a plexus of lymph vessels at the hilum.
RENAL INNERVATION
Most nerve fiber that reached the kidney is unmyelinated, sympathetic fibers that form the
renal plexus, traveling along the renal artery. The cell bodies of these fibers are probably located
in the aortic and celiac plexuses. Sympathetic fibers are distributed by branches of the renal
arterial tree, and these vessels are modulated by some of these fibers. Additional sympathetic
fibers reach the epithelium of the renal tubules, the juxtaglomerular and interstitial cells, and the
capsule of the kidney. Sensory fibers and parasympathetic fibers (probably from the vagus nerve)
have also been described in the kidney.
URETER
Each ureter ( Figure- 17) is about 3 to 4 mm in diameter, is approximately 25 to 30 cm long
and pierces the base of the urinary bladder. The ureters are hollow, cylindrical tubes, consisting of
a mucosa, which lines the lumen, a muscular coat and a fibrous, connective tissue covering.
The mucosa of the ureter presents several folds, which project into the lumen when the ureter is
empty but that are absent when the ureter is distended. The transitional epithelial lining , three to
five cell layers in thickness, overlies a layer of dense, irregular fibroelastic connective tissue
which constitue the lamina propria.
The muscular of ureter is composed of two predominantly inseparable layers of smooth
muscle cells. The arrangement of the layers is opposite that found in the digestive tract, because
the outer layer is arranged circularly and the inner layer is longitudinally disposed. This
arrangement is true for the proximal two thirds of the ureter, but in lower third, near the urinary
bladder, a third muscle layer, whose fibers are oriented longitudinally, is added onto the existing
surface of the existing muscle coat. Hence the muscular fiber orientation in the lower one third of
the ureter is outer longitudinal, middle circular, and inner longitudinal.
The fibrous outer coat of the ureter is unremarkable and at its proximal and distal terminals,
blends with the capsule of the kidney and the connective tissue of the bladder wall.
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Contrary to expectation, urine does not pass down the ureter because of gravitational
force; instead, muscular contraction of the ureteric wall establishes peristaltic like waves
that convey urine to the urinary bladder. As the ureter pierce the posterior aspect of the base of
the bladder, a valve-like flap of mucosa hangs over each ureteric orifice, preventing regurgitation
of urine from the bladder back into the ureters.

Figure-17 Ureter
URINARY BLADDER
The urinary bladder (Figure- 18) is essentially an organ for storing urine until the pressure
becomes sufficient to induce the urge for micturation, or voiding. Its mucosa also acts as an
osmotic barrier between the urine and the lamina propria. The mucosa of the bladder is arranged
in numerous folds which disappear when the bladder becomes distended with urine. During
distension, the large, round, dome-shaped cells of the transitional epithelium become stretched
and change their morphology to become flattened.

The accommodation of cell shape is performed by a unique feature of the transitional

epithelial cell plasmalemma, which is composed of a mosaic of specialized rigid,
thickened regions, plaques, interspersed by normal cell membrane, interplaque regions.

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Figure-18 Urinary bladder

When the bladder is empty, the plaque regions are folded into irregular, angular contours, which
disappear when the cell becomes stretched. These rigid plaque regions, anchored to
intracytoplasmic filaments, resemble gap junctions, but this similarity is only superficial.
Plaques appear to be impermeable to water and salts; thus these cells acts as osmotic barriers
between the urine and the underlying lamina propria. The superficial cells of the transitional
epithelium are held together by desmosomes and possible, by tight junctions which also aid the
establishment of the osmotic barrier by preventing the passage of fluid between the cells.

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The triangular region of the bladder, whose apices are the orifices of the two ureters and the
urethra, is known as the trigone of the bladder. The mucosa of the trigone is always smooth and is
never thrown into folds. The embryonic origin of the trigone differs from that of the remainder of
the bladder.
The lamina propria of the bladder may be subdivided into two layers: a more superficial,
dense, irregular collagenous connective tissue and a deeper, looser layer of connective tissue
composed of a mixture of collagen and elastic fibers. The lamina propria contains no gland except
at the region surrounding the urethral orifices, where mucous glands may be found. Usually this
gland extends only into the superficial layer of the lamina propria. They secrete a clear viscous
fluid that apparently lubricates the urethral orifice.
The muscular coat of the urinary bladder is composed of three interlaced layers of smooth
muscle, which can be separated only in the region of the neck of the bladder. Here they are
arranged as a thin, inner longitudinal layer, a thick middle circular layer forms the internal
orifice of the urethra.
The adventitia of the bladder is composed of a dense, irregular collagenous type of
connective tissue, containing a generous amount of elastic fibers.

Certain regions of the

adventitisia are covered by a serosa, a peritoneal reflection onto the wall of the bladder, whereas
other regions may be surrounded by fat.
URETHRA
The urinary bladder is drained by a single tubular structure, the urethra, which
communicates with the outside, permitting elimination of urine from the body. As the urethra
pierces the perineum, skeletal muscle fibers form the external sphincter muscle surrounding the
urethra. This muscle permits voluntary control of micturation. The urethra of the male is longer
than that of the female and has a dual function in that it acts as route for urine as well as for
semen.
Female urethra (Fig-19) is about 4 to 5 cm in length and 5 to 6 mm in diameter. It extends
from the urinary bladder to the external urethral orifice just above and anterior to the opening of
the vagina. Normally the lumen is collapse, except during micturation. It is lined by a
transtitional epithelium near the bladder and by a stratified squamous non keratinized
epithelium along the remainder of its length. Interspersed in the epithelium are patches of
pseudostartified columnar epithelium. The mucosa is arranged in elongated folds because of the
organization of the fibroelastic lamina propria. Along the entire length of the urethra are
numerous clear, mucus-secreting glands of Littre.
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Figure-19 Female Urethrae

The male urethra (Figure-20) is 15 to 20 cm long, and its three regions are named according
to the structure through which it passes. The segments are: the prostatic, membranous, and
penile urethra.
The prostatic urethra (Fig-21) 3 to 4 cm long lies entirely in the prostate gland. It is lined by a
transitional epithelium and receives the openings of many tiny ducts of the prostate, the prostatic
utricle (a rudimentary homologue of the uterus), and the paired ejaculatory ducts.
The second segment of the male urethra is only 1 to 2 cm long and is known as the
membranous urethra (Fig-21), because it passes through the perineal membrane (urogenital
diaphragma). The membranous urethra is lined by stratified columnar epithelium, interspersed
with patches of pseudostartified columnar epithelium.

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Figure-20 Male urethra

Figure-21 Male Urethrae (left side) and Urethrae pars prostatica (right side)
The final segment is the longest portion of urethra (15 cm in length). It passes through the
length of the penis, terminating at the tip of the glands penis as the external urethral orifice. This
segment is known as the spongiose urethra (penile urethra) (Fig-22) because it is located in the
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Figure-22 Urethrae pars Cavernosa

corpus spongiose urethra (penile urethra) because it is located in the corpus spongiosum. The
spongiose urethra is lined by stratified columnar epithelium interspersed with patches of
pseudostratified columnar and stratified squamous non keratinized epithelia. The enlarged
terminal portion of the urethra in the glands penis is known as the navicular fossa; it is lined by
stratified squamous, nonkeratinized epithelium.

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The lamina propria of all three regions is composed of a loose fibroelastic connective tissue
with a rich vascular supply. It houses numerous glands of Littre, whose mucous secretion
lubricates the epithelial lining of the urethra.

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