Lecture on Kidney Histology: Cortex and Medulla

Overview

• Focus on examining the loops of Henle using the University of Michigan histology site.
• The site provides comprehensive kidney views with zoom-in capabilities similar to lab slides.

Kidney Structure

Cortex

• **Identifiable Features: **
  • Clearly visible.
  • Contains renal corpuscles.
  • Home to Bowman’s capsule with glomerular capillaries.
  • Distinct segments for proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT).
  • Presence of collecting ducts beginning in the cortex.

Medulla

• **Identifiable Features: **
  • Appears different compared to cortex; more linear in structure.
  • Comprised largely of:
    • Collecting ducts
    • Loops of Henle
• Key Characteristics:
  • No renal corpuscles.
  • Contains both the descending and ascending loops of Henle (distinguishable in advanced histology).
  • Collecting ducts receive filtrate from distal convoluted tubules and continue down into the medulla.

Summary

• Cortex: renal corpuscles, PCT, DCT, start of collecting ducts.
• Medulla: loops of Henle, collecting ducts, no renal corpuscles

Conclusion

• Next lecture will cover the collecting ducts in more detail.