click to edit title

click to edit

Histology of Urinary System

Introduction

  • Composed of:
  • Bilateral kidneys and ureters
  • Single midline bladder
  • Single urethra
  • Function:
  • Kidneys filter waste, produce urine
  • Ureters transport urine to bladder
  • Bladder stores urine
  • Urethra eliminates urine from body

Kidney Anatomy and Organization

  • Kidney Layers
  • Renal capsule
  • Outer dense connective tissue
  • Inner layer of myofibroblasts
  • Perirenal fat
  • Renal fascia (Gerota)
  • Pararenal (paranephric) fat
  • Kidney Regions
  • Cortex
  • Cortical Labyrinth
  • Renal Corpuscles
  • Proximal Convoluted Tubules
  • Distal Convoluted Tubules
  • Medullary Ray
  • Straight tubules
  • Cortical collecting ducts
  • Medulla
  • Renal pyramids
  • Renal papilla
  • Minor and major calyces
  • Renal pelvis
  • Renal Lobe
  • Renal Lobule

Nephron and Collecting Ducts

  • Nephron Types
  • Cortical Nephrons (85%)
  • Shorter, mostly in cortex
  • Produce "standard" urine
  • Juxtamedullary Nephrons (15%)
  • Responsive to ADH, can concentrate urine
  • Nephron Divisions
  • Renal Corpuscle
  • Glomerulus
  • Tuft of capillary loops
  • Fenestrated capillaries
  • Bowman's Capsule
  • Parietal layer
  • Visceral layer (Podocytes)
  • Mesangial Cells
  • Provide structural support
  • Phagocytosis
  • Cytokine secretion
  • Tubular Passageways
  • Proximal Convoluted Tubule
  • Cuboidal epithelium with brush border
  • Basal striation
  • Henle's Loop
  • Thick & Thin segments
  • Distal Convoluted Tubule
  • Cuboidal epithelium, smaller diameter
  • Macula densa cells
  • Collecting Tubule and Ducts
  • Cuboidal epithelium
  • Principal and Intercalated cells
  • Glomerular Filtration Barrier
  • Endothelial capillaries
  • Glomerular basement membrane
  • Podocyte pedicels and slit diaphragms

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

  • Macula Densa
  • Tall columnar cells in distal tubule
  • Sensitive to Na+ concentration
  • Juxtaglomerular (JG) Cells
  • Specialized smooth muscle in afferent arteriole
  • Secrete renin
  • Extraglomerular Mesangial Cells (Lacis Cells)
  • Flat, elongated cells
  • Participate in tubuloglomerular feedback

Intrinsic Renal Vascular System

  • Renal Artery
  • Segmental, Interlobar, Arcuate, Interlobular arteries
  • Afferent arterioles
  • Glomerular capillaries
  • Efferent arterioles
  • Peritubular capillaries
  • Vasa recta
  • Renal Vein
  • Segmental, Interlobar, Arcuate, Interlobular veins

Histology of Other Structures

  • Ureters
  • Mucosa
  • Transitional epithelium (urothelium)
  • Lamina propria
  • Muscular Layer
  • Inner longitudinal
  • Outer circular
  • Lower third has outer longitudinal
  • Adventitia
  • Urinary Bladder
  • Tunica Mucosa
  • Transitional epithelium
  • Lamina propria
  • Tunica Muscularis
  • Inner longitudinal
  • Middle circular
  • Outer longitudinal
  • Tunica Serosa/Adventitia
  • Prostate Gland
  • Glandular Parenchyma
  • Fibromuscular Stroma
  • Urethra
  • Female
  • Male