Page 730 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

Loop of Henle consists of thick descending tubules, a thin loop, and thick

ascending tubules
Distal convoluted tubule ascends into kidney cortex and joins the collecting
tubule
Juxtamedullary nephrons have very long loops of Henle
Collecting tubules are not part of nephron but join larger collecting ducts to

form papillary ducts
Deep in medulla, papillary ducts are lined with columnar epithelium and exit
in area cribrosa

Medullary rays in cortex are collecting ducts, blood vessels, and straight
portions of nephrons

Renal Blood Supply

Renal artery divides in the hilus into segmental arteries that become
interlobar arteries
At corticomedullary junction, interlobar arteries branch into arcuate arteries
Arcuate arteries form interlobular arteries from which arise afferent
glomerular arterioles

Glomerular arterioles form capillaries of glomeruli that exit renal corpuscles
as efferent arterioles
Efferent arterioles form peritubular capillaries and vasa recta in the medulla

around kidney tubules

KIDNEY CELLS

Mesangial Cells

Attached to capillaries in the renal corpuscle and serve important functions
Produce extracellular matrix and provide structural support for glomerular

capillaries
Serve as phagocytes in glomerulus and phagocytose antigen–antibody
complexes
Produce interleukins in response to glomerular injury or damage

Regulate blood pressure as a result of their contractile function
Extraglomerular cells form part of the juxtaglomerular apparatus

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