This is a closer look at the Medulla of the Kidney. The main identifiable structure that is located in the medulla is the Collecting tubule, indicated by the red arrow which is pointing to the lumen of it. This is the final part of the collecting tubule where filtrate from many nephrons drain into the tubule.

Red arrow - Medullary Collecting Duct

 

 

 

Here is a closer look at a Collecting Tubule, indicated by the Red arrow. Can you see how it's epithelium makes it stand out compared to all the structures around it. It has a simple cuboidal epithelium, that makes it very easy to identify in the field of view.

 

Red arrow - Collecting Tubule

 

 

 

 

 

This is an image of a Glomerulus, (red arrow). The green arrow is indicating some of the Proximal tubule segments near it. Of note here is the presence of the Macula Densa (blue arrows). The macula densa is part of the Distal Tubule, so first it has to be located in a lighter staining tube, which is how the distal tubules stain. It also is always located right adjacent to the Glomerulus. The section of distal tubule that it is located in passes in between the efferent and afferent arterioles right next to the glomerulus. The cells in the macula densa look more crowded than usual, especially the ones closest to the glomerulus. It functions to monitor the flow of the filtrate with in the Distal Tubule. It is part of what is known as the Juxtaglomerular Apparatus. The other part of the apparatus is located with in the smooth muscle of the Afferent arteriole called the Juxtaglomerular Cells, which monitor the flow of blood with in that vessel.

Green arrow - Proximal tubule

Red arrow - Glomerulus

Blue arrow - Macula Densa

 

Kidney Medulla

Collecting Tubule

Macula Densa

Home - Labs - Tests - Help - Search - Buggz - Contacts - Links